Newer versions of Sprint’s HTC Evo 4G could have LCD screens that are inferior to those in the first batch. According to Android and Me, the older Evo model (hardware version 002) uses a better screen than the newer versions (hardware version 003). Here’s the skinny:
The newer Evo we had just purchased had a more “washed” out look to it while the older Evo had richer colors and better contrast.
There are two versions of the EVO (002 and 003). It appears the 002 models have a Novatel LCD while most of the newer ones feature an Epson LCD, although I’ve seen reports of these being mixed.
This is a bummer for those that are waiting to get their Evo 4Gs. It’s potentially bad for Sprint too. If the screens are really that different then people might flock to Verizon’s Droid X, AT&T’s iPhone 4, or T-Mobile’s Samsung Vibrant. And just in case you were wondering, my Evo 4G is a 002.
for all those concerned about the HTC, I don't think I've ever seem a display on any device that is as good as my iPhone 4. it puts my iPad, iMac and basically anything I've seen to shame… just fyi
@shockwave
perhaps you should check out an 27inch iMac then? lol.
@Shockwave562 The tech is impressive. There's no doubting that. However, it's small. 3.5" is pretty weak. It would have cost more, but Apple should have went for at least 3.7". Larger screens simply offer more usability. Sprint and Verizon are pushing 4.3" with the Evo 4G and Droid X. T-Mobile will offer a 4" Super AMOLED screen with the Samsung Vibrant (a variation of the Galaxy S).
@Ray – I think the option of a larger screen would be nice. but I'm happy with my current phone size.
@Shockwave562 Have you used a phone with a larger screen?
@ Ray
It's not the size of the boat, it's the motion of the ocean/
@N8R Ha! Usability would fall under the motion of the ocean, no?
@ Ray
But the usability (in these regards) is individual. It's a matter of preference. Some folks prefer size over definition and vice versa. Ultimately though, it was just an excuse for a snappy comeback.
Also, if you can see my new gravatar, that's me in the shirt I got from pre-ordering Superman 64. Why would you argue quality with a guy in a Superman 64 shirt?
@N8R Yes, it's a matter of preference for something like viewing. For something like using a virtual keyboard, it's just easier on a bigger screen.
@ Ray
See, I've never really had trouble using the iPhone virtual keypad. Granted, I've spent the majority of my life practicing how to be graceful and precise with my fingers though.
Your analogy is like saying a cello is better than a violin because it's easier to play but in actuality, it's a matter of preference based on opinions based on personal experience.
@N8R My analogy is nothing like comparing a cello and a violin. Those are two different instruments that serve different purposes. How are you going to tell me logically that it's not easier to type on a larger virtual keyboard? It's like comparing a keyboard on a netbook to a full-size keyboard. Sure, some people can type quickly on an 87% sized netbook keyboard, but most people will be faster on a full-sized keyboard.
@ Ray
I see your point, I do. I'm just saying that for me (personally) it's equally difficult/easy given the not that much of a difference between the screen sizes of an Evo and an iPhone.
To be honest, I struggle just as much with Blackberry key because they are so small and the calluses on my fingers negate alot of feeling where I press 2 or 3 at the same time.
All of this is negated if you use a stylus (which I don't, I'm just saying). As for what's best for everybody… I'm not cool enough to pretend like I can tell other people what's best for them.
@ Ray
Also, I see where my cello/violin analogy can be confusing because I was expressing it from a musician's stand point rather than a listeners. Yes they are different instruments with different purposes, but they have similar structures and you have more room to move (so to speak) on a cello.
@N8R Your analogy doesn't work because the cello and violin serve different purposes. Virtual keyboards on different sized phones serve the same purposes — input.
There's also a huge difference between the iPhone's 3.5" screen and the Evo's 4.3" screen. I don't see how you can argue with math.
Lastly, there is no "best for everybody" input method. I'm saying that the larger screen makes typing easier for most.
n8r's analogy doesnt work because a cello uses the alto clef as opposed to the treble clef
both phones are badass, you cant really go wrong either way. Ray is right about being screen size facilitating ease of use with regard to virtual keyboards though.
@ray
has there been talk of a phone that could use remote play via ps3? Thats REALLY what im waiting for, i thought someone would have tried that by now
@thundercracker Never heard of anything like that. If it happened, it would be on a Sony-Ericcson phone.
@ Ray
Actually, a cello and a violin serve a similar purpose when it comes to "making sound". I wasn't looking at the octave differences or the common practice people have used them for. I was basically referring to how much room you have for your fingers and hitting the notes you intend to hit from a soloist standpoint.
"I don’t see how you can argue with math."… I'm not, I;m saying it's damn near irrelevant given the size sample to begin with (strictly in terms of texting). The Evo's screen is roughly 23% larger than the iPhone's. Given that the increments (in landscape mode) divide by 10 (qwertyuiop) that means that each key on the Evo is roughly allotted about .48 of an inch and the iPhone is alotted .35 of an inch. The difference being .13 of an inch alotted per key (spacing included).
NOW (very important) the numbers I used are based off of the diagonal measurements of the screens. Even though the iPhone is 3 x 2, I couldn't find the exact horizontal and vertical of the Evo. However, I believe the ratios would be the same.
…I'm saying that I feel… in my own personal opinion… that .13 (diagonal) of an inch really isn't that substantial of a difference.
If you can give me the exact difference in both portrait or landscape mode and crunch the numbers, you'll find that the number is so low, it's barely worth mentioning.
@N8R If your figures are correct then isn't .13 around a 28% difference? That's pretty substantial.
@ Ray
That 285 is .13 of an inch… PER KEY. (qwertyuiop)
*28%
@ Ray
and actually, the 28% is smaller than that.
@N8R 28% per key is not a big difference?
The screen real estate is also very relative to the keys being presented on the virtual keyboard.
Anyway you slice it though, more screen real estate leads to a less cluttered keypad, but at the same time it doesn't matter if the touchscreen quality itself is poor.
I agree with you Ray, bigger is easier to use.
@ray and n8r
you guys just need to settle this on the dance floor
@ Ray
Given the sample size to begin with… not in my opinion, no. If you're going by raw percentage no matter what the sample sizes are, 28% is a substantial difference. But when you're dealing with small things to begin with, the end result is minimal.
28% of a dollar is 28 cents. 28% of a dime is 2.8 cents. If we were talking 28% of a dollar, you could buy 5 pieces of gum. If we're talking 28% of a dime, you can get a half of a piece of gum. Since we're talking 28% of less than an inch, it's not that big of a deal.
@ Thundercracker
I would totally go Ozone and Turbo on his ass.
ok ok i know posting youtube video isnt the coolest thing ever but you guys gotta watch this for a second
@N8R It's not minimal at all. Again, look at the difference between netbooks with 85% keyboards and laptops with full-sized keyboards. The difference is significant. In fact, I'd say it's even more significant on phones considering the limited space you have to work with on a touchscreen.
@ Ray
Again, the sample size of full sized keyboards and netbook keyboards is larger to begin with. 25% of 2 feet is a much bigger difference than 25% of 5 inches. It's comparing something that's 6 inches to something that's 1.25 inches (I know what your thinking with your dirty mind… I won't go there if you won't).
Now, as a technological advancement… yes, it's awesome that we can comfortably get away with smaller than we've been accustomed. I'm not knocking either product either. I'm saying, I don't really care for a difference that's about a 1/10 of an inch. It's beyond my scope of giving a damn.
The day when a full size holographic keyboard shoots out of the phone, I'll notice that. Even if it's netbook sized.
@N8R My example still holds. On laptop keyboards, your fingers move a greater distance. On phones, the space is much more limited. Even a small amount helps with spacing. 28 percent is significant.
@ Ray
I'm sure there are some people that would argue that moving your fingers less makes things easier. Which brings me to my original point, it's a matter of preference.
@N8R Aside from people like Warwick Davis, few rational people would say anything like that. That's like saying there are people that like cramped netbook keyboards. I'm sure there are, but I'm certain they're the vast minority. For the majority, it will be easier to type on a virtual keyboard on a 4.3" screen than a 3.5" screen. I really don't understand how you can argue that less space for typing would be better.
@ Ray
Nowhere did I say it was better.
I'm saying that for me personally, I don't see much of a difference. You're saying you know what's better for me than I do.
@ Ray
And I wouldn't have used Willow as an example, I woud've used the guy from the Burger King commercial with the little hands.
@N8R Okay, then I question how you don't see much of a difference. Have you spent significant time typing on a 4.3" touchscreen?
Willow is the greatest short person of all time!
nerd fight!!
can you guys at least crouch over and start snapping before you fight?
ive always liked west side story
@ Ray
I checked it out a week ago and again today (actually) after we started this conversation. I had to go to Best Buy to look for a belt for an obsolete vacuum cleaner (which I didn't find).
While I was there, I checked out the Evo again just to type on it. I found I had to hold it slightly different than I hold my iPhone (which was no big deal) but I fumbled on just as many letters as I did my iPhone.
Maybe I fumbled on 28% less letters, but I wasn't really keeping count like that.
In case your wondering, I typed "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog" about 6 times.
So, I wouldn't say I put in weeks of review time, but enough to satisfy my curiosity.
I also got to check out the iPad while I was there and I must say it was more convenient then I thought it would be. I was actually more impressed than I thought I would be, but I still don't think it's worth it for me to drop the asking price for it since I have better things to spend money on.
The 27" iMac with the i7… is absolutely gorgeous.
I didn't get to see the new iPhone however. I didn't see it on display and I assumed they were out of stock.
Since my wife is 4'8"… I think I have to regard her as the best short person of all time because… well, I hope to get laid again one day. Willow can't help me with that (and if he would… I'd have to pass).
Correction to above
I checked it out a week *or so* ago.
It was probably more like 2 weeks.
@thundercracker More gang fights should be like West Side Story.
@N8R I'm pretty sure 4'8" disqualifies your wife from the Warwick Davis Society.
Back to the point, I wouldn't call what you spent significant time. It took me just under a week to get used to typing on the 3GS.
@ Ray
I wouldn't say I spent significant time with it either. I said it was enough to satisfy my curiosity.
I also noticed that the arrow keys on the left side actually make the keys smaller than they could be, but the keys are noticeably taller than they are on the iPhone.
I only messed with the landscape typing because I figured it would be the most comfortable. The lady was also standing over me because she had to get a real version of the phone for me to play with. I told her I wanted to strictly check out the texting functions and she handed it to me already in that mode.
If you stood next to my wife, believe me, you would notice how short she is.
Correction
Arrow keys on the *right* side