edit: can this thread be deleted please?
Ok. I am about to get my first smartphone.
I normally stick to whatever old-ish phone that works because they have been maturing too rapidly and I think we are at a point now where it is going to slow down enough for it to be worth getting involved. I care more about high-performance PC hardware usually because you get so much more for your money
Obviously, a contract is the way to go because it will cost less in the long term; you can't use a smarphone properly without access to the network services and I am likely to use a fair bit of bandwidth. So with that taken into account, there are some good deals to be had.
The best deal I am aware of for a Galaxy Nexus is £60 to buy the phone outright (normally costs over £500 for the handset, that's probably around 300% profit) with a £31/month contract. I cant remember the other info, but it was recommended by somebody I trust with these things; he went through the minutes and 3G bandwidth details comparing them to his own contract that he is happy with that is far more restrictive.
I am planning on developing games for Android devices.
I suppose going for the best phone on the market is a good choice so that by the time I have anything ready to launch the consumer base will be more able to run graphically intensive apps on the whole (prices reducing and performance increasing over time).
Importantly, the bootloader is unlocked. Which is great because they support the rights of consumers to do what they wish with the hardware. But I would have just jailbroken it anyway
I am aware of the problem that the early batches have with the erratic volume caused by interference and that Google and Samsung recognise the issue and apparently have a fix already in place on newly manufactured Galaxy Nexus handsets. Apparently though, high street stores claim to have replaced their models but still give customers flawed handsets then refuse to replace them with a working model because their database says that particular handest is fixed and that calling the head office will get the customer their way (most customers would have no idea, so they probably do this on purpose).
I will bring the issue up when I am arranging my contract to make sure they don't screw me. Also, I will be in-store buying the newest high-end phone holding my Samsung Wave 2 GT-S8530 (you know.. to google info about stuff because I don't trust the people in the shop who are paid on commision). Which is quite new in itself but it runs Bada (edited Android with Samsung's own app store tbh) which I am borrowing from Uni while I develop games on it (the SDK is horrible by the way), so they will be like "upgrading already?!" and probably be aware that I know what I am looking for. So they won't want to screw me
Anyway, would I be right in thinking that the Galaxy Nexus is the best phone on the market right now? The specs sure are beastly and the reviews are all excellent and seem to agree. It should be perfect for developing games on. OpenGL with pixel shaders, AI, multiplayer - the lot (we'll see ^_^). The devices are very capable but few games properly use them to their maximum potential and of course anything I would make would be fully customisable and sensible - allowing people to lower graphics settings if they prefer batter life etc. Though I am mostly going to develop games for portfolio purposes rather than profit and wouldn't really care if I make no money, obviously the market on phones is very different and games that use the tech aggressively are a niche market for technophiles and people who have been marketed to who don't realise/care that tactile buttons are better, or people who'll chuck £3 at an app/game out of curiosity or to burn some boredom while they wait etc.
So, would you guys suggest I go for it? I am pretty sure myself but its always good to ask on a forum before buying some expensive technology.
Ok. I am about to get my first smartphone.
I normally stick to whatever old-ish phone that works because they have been maturing too rapidly and I think we are at a point now where it is going to slow down enough for it to be worth getting involved. I care more about high-performance PC hardware usually because you get so much more for your money
Obviously, a contract is the way to go because it will cost less in the long term; you can't use a smarphone properly without access to the network services and I am likely to use a fair bit of bandwidth. So with that taken into account, there are some good deals to be had.
The best deal I am aware of for a Galaxy Nexus is £60 to buy the phone outright (normally costs over £500 for the handset, that's probably around 300% profit) with a £31/month contract. I cant remember the other info, but it was recommended by somebody I trust with these things; he went through the minutes and 3G bandwidth details comparing them to his own contract that he is happy with that is far more restrictive.
I am planning on developing games for Android devices.
I suppose going for the best phone on the market is a good choice so that by the time I have anything ready to launch the consumer base will be more able to run graphically intensive apps on the whole (prices reducing and performance increasing over time).
Importantly, the bootloader is unlocked. Which is great because they support the rights of consumers to do what they wish with the hardware. But I would have just jailbroken it anyway
I am aware of the problem that the early batches have with the erratic volume caused by interference and that Google and Samsung recognise the issue and apparently have a fix already in place on newly manufactured Galaxy Nexus handsets. Apparently though, high street stores claim to have replaced their models but still give customers flawed handsets then refuse to replace them with a working model because their database says that particular handest is fixed and that calling the head office will get the customer their way (most customers would have no idea, so they probably do this on purpose).
I will bring the issue up when I am arranging my contract to make sure they don't screw me. Also, I will be in-store buying the newest high-end phone holding my Samsung Wave 2 GT-S8530 (you know.. to google info about stuff because I don't trust the people in the shop who are paid on commision). Which is quite new in itself but it runs Bada (edited Android with Samsung's own app store tbh) which I am borrowing from Uni while I develop games on it (the SDK is horrible by the way), so they will be like "upgrading already?!" and probably be aware that I know what I am looking for. So they won't want to screw me
Anyway, would I be right in thinking that the Galaxy Nexus is the best phone on the market right now? The specs sure are beastly and the reviews are all excellent and seem to agree. It should be perfect for developing games on. OpenGL with pixel shaders, AI, multiplayer - the lot (we'll see ^_^). The devices are very capable but few games properly use them to their maximum potential and of course anything I would make would be fully customisable and sensible - allowing people to lower graphics settings if they prefer batter life etc. Though I am mostly going to develop games for portfolio purposes rather than profit and wouldn't really care if I make no money, obviously the market on phones is very different and games that use the tech aggressively are a niche market for technophiles and people who have been marketed to who don't realise/care that tactile buttons are better, or people who'll chuck £3 at an app/game out of curiosity or to burn some boredom while they wait etc.
So, would you guys suggest I go for it? I am pretty sure myself but its always good to ask on a forum before buying some expensive technology.
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