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The HTC Droid Incredible (with Flash) is the new top dog

By | April 29, 2010, 8:20am PDT

Summary: Meet the new king of the smartphones, the HTC Droid Incredible - with Flash.

I irked some iPhone elitists when I listed 12 ways that the Google Nexus One slayed the iPhone. But that’s so last month. New Android handsets hit the market every 1-3 months (compared to the 12 months it takes to see an updated iPhone) and there’s already a new sheriff in town.

I’ve been testing the HTC Droid Incredible for a few days and, so far anyway, it lives up to its name. The Incredible is pictured here with its “terrain” back cover bearing its uber-hot 8MP cam, microSD card slot and removable battery.

The 12 ways that I mentioned last month are still valid, plus the newly released Incredible adds few more to the list of why Android OS 2.1 is better than the iPhone.

  1. Adobe Flash 10.1 - While not perfect, it’s nice to have the option to view flash content. I played a  bunch of fun games at AddictingGames.com (one force closed the Browser on me). I viewed the desktop version of YouTube.com on the Incredible’s Web browser (Hitler reacts, natch) and it launches a new app, HTC Flash player. The opening animation on Flash.com was ok, but stuttered a little bit on playback. Although Steve Jobs shrewdly timed Thoughts on Flash makes several valid points, more options are always better for the consumer. Apple’s lack of Flash support is all about locking you into the Apple ecosystem and its damning statements about it are both incendiary and juvenile.
  2. 8MP camera - It’s nothing short of amazing, save the horrible “optical joystick” shutter release. I will be posting some sample photos that I took in NYC shortly.
  3. Sense UI - A definite upgrade to the “stock” Android OS theme in every way. I used to prefer the vanilla Android UI, but the enhanced version of Sense that ships on the Incredible is growing on me fast.
  4. Two words: Verizon Wireless (enough said)
  5. The microSD slot isn’t blocked by the battery (and 32GB cards are now available)

What’s troubling is that the builds of iPhone OS 4.0 released to developers indicate that Apple have only addressed two of my 12 reasons why Android is better than iPhone OS (#6 multi-tasking and #7 combined inbox).

All isn’t perfect in Incredible-ville though. I’m having some difficulty installing Google Voice on my Incredible (I’m told it’s an issue with my handset) and it doesn’t have the super-sexy Mobile Hotspot app like the Pre+ which is literally a killer app - especially for iPad owners.

Apple needs to address all 12 reasons in iPhone 4.0 just to catch up with Android 2.1. If it’s going to take the lead the next iPhone some new and unique features that blow us away. While video chat has promise, I’m not sure if one unique feature will trump the 10 that the iPhone is missing.

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King, Smart Phones, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Jason D. O'Grady

Jason O'Grady is a journalist and author specializing in mobile technology. He has published six books on Apple and mobile gadgets and his PowerPage blog has been publishing for over 15 years.

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Jason D. O'Grady

Jason D. O'Grady is the creator and editor of O'Grady's PowerPage, which has been publishing mobile technology news since 1995. He maintains an advertising relationship with the following legacy advertisers on the PowerPage:

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    • Advertising on the PowerPage is brokered by a third-party agency (BackBeat Media) and he recuses himself from these negotiations.

Biography

Jason D. O'Grady

Jason D. O'Grady developed an affinity for Apple computers after using the original Lisa, and this affinity turned into a bona-fide obsession when he got the original 128 KB Macintosh in 1984.

He started writing one of the first Web sites about Apple (O'Grady's PowerPage) in 1995 and is considered to be one of the fathers of blogging. He has been a frequent speaker at the Macworld Expo conference and a member of the conference faculty. He also co-founded the first dedicated PowerBook User Group (PPUG) in the United States.

After winning a major legal battle with Apple in 2006, he set the precedent that independent journalists are entitled to the same protections under the First Amendment as members of the mainstream media.

O'Grady is the author of The Nexus One Pocket Guide, The Droid Pocket Guide, The Google Phone Pocket Guide, and The Garmin nuvi Pocket Guide (Peachpit Press), the author of Corporations That Changed the World: Apple Inc. (Greenwood Press), and a contributor to The Mac Bible (Peachpit Press). In addition, he has contributed to numerous Mac publications over the years, including MacWEEK, Macworld, and MacPower (Japan).

When he's not writing about Apple for ZDNet at The Apple Core, he enjoys spending time with his family in New Jersey.

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Wow I know this is old but...
Peter Perry 27th Aug 2010
@stevelenti The sense UI made copy, paste and selecting text pretty much the same as it is with my iPad. Get a clue before you post as my incredible is still running the stock OS.
View in thread
0 Votes
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Very good and balanced article! (NT)
NetAdmin1178 29th Apr 2010
(NT)
0 Votes
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RE: The HTC Droid Incredible (with Flash) is the new top dog
Keonidas 29th Apr 2010
The points that you make are superficial. As stated, Flash
won't come on to the iPhone platform. Do you really need an
8MP camera on a phone? How are you supposed to send that
huge file to someone quickly? The Sense UI is not an
advantage. I don't have any problems with at&t. In fact, the
3G speed is far superior to Verizon's in my area. and the
MicroSD slot is nothing truly significant considering that its
an additional cost for the normal consumer.
0 Votes
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Aesop's fox.
Sleeper Service 29th Apr 2010
(NT)
0 Votes
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2nd best
tom@... 29th Apr 2010
It is becoming obvious that some iphone owners
are going to have trouble accepting the fact
that their phone is no longer top dog. The
iphone IS why all these new handsets are here.
We'd all have Razr V8,000,000's now if the
iphone had not come around. But Apple's "locked
down" approach along with Steve's feud with
Adobe will keep the iphone from staying #1. In 2
years Google (Android) will have the lions share
of the market because they play well with others
and Apple doesn't.
0 Votes
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Versus petty and ignorant fanboi drivel?
Ralph Wells 30th Apr 2010
You need flash to keep the web experience frustration level to a minimum. You need better camera resolution so your posts to social networking sites don't suck. You are supposed to send that huge file over the 3G you mentioned later, or by passing it over physically on the MicroSD card, which is hella-cool.
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RE: The HTC Droid Incredible (with Flash) is the new top dog
smaffei 29th Apr 2010
Just look at the garish monstrosity!
0 Votes
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It doesn't really look like that.
andy88488 29th Apr 2010
I got mine yesterday. You don't see all that red. That's the photo with the back removed, and the battery exposed. It's really a very handsome phone. I don't know why they keep publishing the photo with the back removed.
0 Votes
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Sexy Verizon Red Coolness Factor! ....and I love red undies! lol
i2fun@... 30th Apr 2010
lol... just being silly, I know. But hey? ...iDon't
won't ever detour from their plain jane all is one
and one is all samo samo Look and Feel for
everybody clone syndrome.... lol I just can't
imagine Apple ever allowing you to take it's phones
outer coverings off. Too Sexy for Jobs heart!
...lol Let alone be able to change the battery and
use an ordinary USB cable to sync your iPhone or
iPad! NEVER!!!...commands iHitler Jobs!

So seeing the naked inerts looking so sweet on this
phone, is tempting me to buy one for sure! grin
...it's a sexy beast, no doubt. It's defo inundated
FLASHING loads of swag and features! Yeah.. Love
it!!!
0 Votes
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One issue
jnave 29th Apr 2010
My issue is with the Android OS itself. There's no
"universal" update for devices. With my (personal)
iPhone 3GS, it's updated to the latest OS while my (work)
HTC Hero is STILL stuck at OS 1.6 with, what I fear, will
never see the 2.0 or 2.1 update.

I would love to see the changes, but until they update
all the devices, I can only read articles...
0 Votes
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There's no universal update in Appleland either
rtk 29th Apr 2010
only the 3GS will be getting 4.0.
0 Votes
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There's no universal update in Appleland either
c.smith 29th Apr 2010
That's not true. The update includes everything except for multitasking for Iphone3G which is coming up on two years old.
0 Votes
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not really universal then.
rtk 29th Apr 2010
if it's a different version with less features.
0 Votes
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There's no universal update in Appleland either
c.smith 29th Apr 2010
Well considering the software update has over 100 features getting 99 of them(free) for a 2+ year device is still a pretty good deal IMO.
0 Votes
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Sure, we just have to redefine "universal"
rtk 29th Apr 2010
no big deal

-sent from my pc.
0 Votes
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And people just have to be convinced there is a "problem" ...
brian ansorge 29th Apr 2010
... for each and every new "solution" that gets, uh, created.

As previously stated: "no big deal"

My two year old iPhone?

Last I checked, I wasn't aware I had *any* ... uh, "problems" with it
that necessitated any "upgrade" solution in the first place, let alone an
upgrade solution that (by one bean-counters "definition") is one
feature short of being a "universal" upgrade.

I don't need the 99 features that make the upgrade *virtually*
Universal. I don't need the missing feature that would make the
upgrade *literally* Universal --- for my two-year old iPhone, which,
btw, haters make famous. Get over it. Yes, it may be from Apple, but,
geesh, it's just a freaking phone. I love mine. Get over it, already. Get
over it.

-sent from my iPhone
0 Votes
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You're a Pretentious Little iSnot Troll! ...aren't YOU? lol
i2fun@... Updated - 30th Apr 2010
NT
0 Votes
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As already addressed
Pete "athynz" Athens 30th Apr 2010
the 4.0 update is available for ALL but the 2G... so far the only thing the 3G won't get is full multitasking - which I say is bunk because my 3G can fully multitask now (since it's jailbroken) so it's not a hardware issue at all, just a ploy to get us 3G users to ante up and buy the 4th gen iPhone... and until I see the specs on that it's not happening.
0 Votes
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Android 2.2 will address this feature...
JT82 29th Apr 2010
with automatically allowing apps to update themselves via Android Market. Look for Android 2.2 to debut Mid to late may.
0 Votes
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Slightly off target
tk77 29th Apr 2010
The OP's issues are with the fact that his Android based device is stuck
at an older version of the OS. However, you bring up his point. When
will his Hero gain access to Android 2.2? Will it?

The iPhone isn't perfect with upgrades, as the new 4.0 will lose some
features on the 3G, and wont be installable on the original 2G phone.
This is however, expected. While there are questions as to why it wont
even install on the 2G (since the hardware is mostly the same as the
3G), its not unreasonable to think that at some point legacy hardware
just wont be capable of running properly with the new features. At
some point, the code optimizations might not even support the older
hardware, so even installing it and not using the fancy features might
cause problems with the older devices.
0 Votes
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Hrm...
JT82 29th Apr 2010
Well considering Android 2.2 hasnt been finally released yet - your guess is as good as mine. However his Hero was shipped with Android 2.1 and HTC Sense. Most Android devices that have shipped with Android 2.0 (or manufactured in the last few months) will be able to support probably well into Android 3.0 and beyond without a problem.
0 Votes
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He's not wrong actually...
storm14k 29th Apr 2010
What Google has decided to do was pull as much
of the core features of the OS out into apps as
possible. The way they built the OS makes that
possible to do for alot of things. So now when
Google comes up with new features than can push
them through the market. The core OS would then
see once a year updates which would be things
more like the kernel and DVM. So end users would
be able to get the consumer centric features
faster without causing the handset makers to
have to race to get the new OS on their phones.
0 Votes
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I've got to wonder if this will continue to be an issue because....
storm14k 29th Apr 2010
the handset makers have been spurred into using
adequate hardware for their phones now. I wonder
sometimes if the hold up has been getting the
new features to run smoothly on the subpar
hardware that used to be the norm. As an
indicator it didn't take as long to get 2.1 on
the Droid relative to what it has taken to
upgrade the other phones. They were barely
running what they had. The phones coming this
year are overpowered. And if JIT compilation
finds its way into 2.2 and beyond as its claimed
then every phone will immediately see a 3X boost
in performance.
0 Votes
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RE: The HTC Droid Incredible (with Flash) is the new top dog
darrenkopp 29th Apr 2010
The phone has Flash Lite 4.0 on it, not Flash 10.1, which
is forth coming.
0 Votes
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RE: The HTC Droid Incredible (with Flash) is the new top dog
stevelenti 29th Apr 2010
You fail to compare simple usability features that Andriod fails miserably in comparison to the iPhone. Copy & paste while taking its sweet time coming to the iPhone is far superior to the Androids poor implementation. Select text is a nightmare on an Android. Positioning the cursor is another disaster on the Android. Text entry using the touch keyboard is so much better on the iPhone. The "true" multitouch screen really makes a difference with typing speed. Anyone used to the keyboard on the iPhone will find themselves severely slowed down using an Android device.

The UI of the iPhone is still far superior to that of the Android. Way more polished and refined. While Apple doesn't always give you everything, what they do give you works awesome. Its like comparing a Hyundai to a Porsche.
0 Votes
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Really? ROLFMAO.
JT82 29th Apr 2010
Typical Apple fanboi defending the hive because its under attack from a worthy opponent. I dont take anything away from the iPhone because lets face it, if we never had that who knows where we would be in the mobile space - so in that regard im thankful for it. On the other hand, because Android gave us copy/paste and multi-tasking from the beginning everyone has evolved. Copy/paste and selecting text on Android is just fine - you cant "long press" on something? Thats all it takes - so obviously you never have used an Android device for more than 10 seconds or you would have known that.

The UI - is up for debate. In some ways I'll digress that STOCK, the UI on the iPhone is very pretty. However, I simply installed Open Home (or any other home app) and I can skin until my hearts content - allowing it to look the way I want, not Lord Jobs. I also hate to inform you the Porsche you think you bought? Is nothing more than a Hyundai just rebadged with a different brand name.
0 Votes
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I have a droid.
lostarchitect 29th Apr 2010
I used to have a 3Gs. I like my droid a lot, but
he is right on all those points, IMO.
0 Votes
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Spoken like someone that still thinks Android is the G1 lmao.
storm14k 29th Apr 2010
Get a clue buddy. Almost everything announced in
the iPhone OS 4 is a catch-up feature to Android.
0 Votes
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Everyone
alwin3413 Updated - 29th Apr 2010
had been playing "catch-up" to the iPhone till about last November when the Droid came out, OS and all. How many manufacturers make Android phones? 5? 10? That's a whole lot of opportunity to make a truly "huge" step that has yet to be made.

Little improvements from phone to phone are hard for most consumers to recognize. It's the big ones that consumers recognize. Adding up the features found on every Android phone and saying it kills the iphone is ridiculous.

Apple can't release a new phone/OS every time a competitor makes a slight change/improvement.
0 Votes
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The ONLY things mentioned thus far
Pete "athynz" Athens 30th Apr 2010
with iPhone OS 4 is the seven "tentpole" features - a bit premature to call it having to catch up when we don't know what the other features are.
0 Votes
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The Incredible: Not that incredible
Paul4 29th Apr 2010
Engaget's review of the Incredible say that the screen is not bright enough to read in full sunlight and reds are supposed to be over saturated. http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/19/droid-incredible-review/
Video is only 800x480--would have been nice to have 720p like the HTC Evo will have. I agree about the copy and paste on HTC and the typing experience in general: I think the iPhone is still the best.
0 Votes
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Looks like someone turned Red Dwarf into a phone. Wth? [nt]
olePigeon 29th Apr 2010
[nt]
0 Votes
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Hmm...
Sleeper Service 29th Apr 2010
"To say that this UI is competitive with something like iPhone OS 3.1 (or 4 for that matter), or Palm's webOS is an understatement; in many ways it's superior to what Apple and Palm are offering."

Also from Engadget.
0 Votes
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Wow I know this is old but...
Peter Perry 27th Aug 2010
@stevelenti The sense UI made copy, paste and selecting text pretty much the same as it is with my iPad. Get a clue before you post as my incredible is still running the stock OS.
0 Votes
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RE: The HTC Droid Incredible (with Flash) is the new top dog
StStephen67 29th Apr 2010
Grow up,"iPhone elitists" is juvenile. Those of us who choose to use an iPhone do so because it's the best phone on the market, bar none.

So jump back in your crib, suck on your pacifier, you'll be a big boy some day.
0 Votes
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RE: The HTC Droid Incredible (with Flash) is the new top dog
beebow2 29th Apr 2010
Who in the world would want to buy anything and they come out with a new model every month?
0 Votes
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RE: The HTC Droid Incredible (with Flash) is the new top dog
sdaniel13@... 29th Apr 2010
I ditched my iPhone for the HTC and have never, ever looked back. Mind you, I liked the iPhone, but the HTC is superior by orders of magnitude. Incredible.
0 Votes
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Android w/ FLASSSHHHHH!
topedaman 29th Apr 2010
I would personally suggest to google that they should make an ad like this "Android with Flash" not droid does or doesnt very subtle not everyone in the U.S. understand that...it should scare the hell of steve jobs...pretty sure of that...hheeheh
0 Votes
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RE: The HTC Droid Incredible (with Flash) is the new top dog
CMGFRESH 29th Apr 2010
First off your article is weak. Read what Steve Jobs just said today about Flash. He's 100% correct. This whole HTC/Android OS is a shame. Google and HTC will end up having to pay off both Microsoft and Apple for patten infringement. Just wait to those costs get piled one. Don't even get me started on Verizon. CDMA? Please. Can't even use most of the their devices world wide. I'll take an iPhone and AT&T any day and twice on Sunday. You can keep your over hyped Google/Flash junk.
0 Votes
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RE: The HTC Droid Incredible (with Flash) is the new top dog
CMGFRESH Updated - 29th Apr 2010
First off your article is weak. Read what Steve Jobs just said today about Flash. He's 100% correct. This whole HTC/Android OS is a sham. Google and HTC will end up having to pay off both Microsoft and Apple for patten infringement. Just wait to those costs get piled on. Don't even get me started on Verizon. CDMA? Please. Can't even use most of the their devices world wide. I'll take an iPhone and AT&T any day and twice on Sunday. You can keep your over hyped Google/Flash junk.
0 Votes
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RE: The HTC Droid Incredible (with Flash) is the new top dog
Droid1 29th Apr 2010
Iphone is yesterday's news. All of the apple fanboys should be
happy that Android came along. The increasing competition
between Apple and Android has finally made Steve jobs create an
iphone with some real hardware specs. In my opinion the only
reason iphone 4g (or whatever its called) will have high res.
display, multitasking capabilities, led display, duel cameras and a
better camera (finally with flash) is because Android has got Steve
running scared. Steve jobs is the typical greedy businessman. Give
consumers as little as possible for as much money as he can.
Android is the wave of the future and I'm glad I've waxxed me
board for the ride.
0 Votes
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If you really want to "irk" those elitests, show'em Androids awful appstore
seraph82 29th Apr 2010
lol - theres a reason why outside of the original Droid,
Android is looking very sedate as a platform.
0 Votes
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Whats wrong with the App store? [NT]
JT82 29th Apr 2010
NT
0 Votes
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What is "outside of the original Droid"?
storm14k 29th Apr 2010
They are all Android devices and use the same
App Market. So how is it going to make one sell
and the others falter? The difference in the
Droid was an upgrade in processor over the
others that provided a high end experience where
the other devices were laggy. Google took care
of that by sticking the Nexus One out there
almost as a threat. Now you have the Incredible,
Evo, Galaxy s, Aloha and a whole line of Dell
phones plus others all stomping a mud hole in
the iPhone.
0 Votes
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The Market each phone has is different...
mrlinux 29th Apr 2010
I get a different list of apps on my G1 vs a friends Sprint Hero.
0 Votes
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Android Market
jabster17 29th Apr 2010
The Market only shows those apps compatible with
your version of Android. I have a Samsung Moment
with 1.5, but Sprint is promising an update by the
end of Q2.
0 Votes
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Looks like ass. I'll pass, ty. [nt]
WarhavenSC 29th Apr 2010
nt
0 Votes
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My htc ultimate will be ready on Monday
pcguy777 29th Apr 2010
I cant wait.

Flash will be useful for me...

I like Hulu and fancast, and youtube.

No hassles.

Isnt it cool ?

I hope to get an ipad too in a few months --- oh well.
0 Votes
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RE: The HTC Droid Incredible (with Flash) is the new top dog
humans-enabled.com 29th Apr 2010
Be sure to tether your Android device to Ubuntu GNU/Linux for Internet access. "rooting" not required, just follow the easy instructions at this post:
http://www.humans-enabled.com/2009/12/how-to-tether-your-verizon-droid-as.html

Get Ubuntu 10.04 (it's awesome) from:
http://ubuntu.com

Cheers!
Shannon VanWagner
humans-enabled.com
0 Votes
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RE: The HTC Droid Incredible (with Flash) is the new top dog
dimithrak@... 29th Apr 2010
Yup, driods are like changin underwear. A new one out
every other month. Big deal!.. who switches phones
that quick? and so what?

when apple updates their phones, it comes up with
updates, not one option upgrade everytime a phone is
released.

Besides, why are you whining about this. Windows Phone
7 is gonna kick ass.

Goodbye Andriod. Oh, I also cannot wait to see HP +
Palm!.
0 Votes
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Not gonna happen
Pete "athynz" Athens 30th Apr 2010
Windows Phone 7 is really too little too late... they should have done something with WM when the iPhone 2G first came out, now WP 7 will have to deal with iPhone AND Android - and it has a snowball's chance in hell of making it.

The Palm/ HP team looks interesting though...

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