My NZ experiences with the Google N1 Phone

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2800 posts

Uber Geek

#329239 12-May-2010 10:33

theanalyst: I finally found a N1 being sold on trademe ($950) for XT, by the time I had contacted my brother-in-law in the states to work out how much the it would cost for him to buy and send to me (roughly $900 with current forex) and transfer funds from different a/c's the auction was removed!! ? Not happy as I should have bid today. My own fault really. Does anyone have a line on when/if 2.2 is to be released for a OTA update for the N1?

Use www.comgateway.com and order one direct from Google. Winds up being around $900 including shipping to them, their charges, shipping to NZ and customs fee's + GST.

Official announcement of 2.2 is on the 19th, don't think anyone has said if that's when it's actually going to be released or not though.

Google has semi-officially announced Flash 10.1 in Froyo. The Nexus One that the Adobe video on YouTube is demonstrating Flash on Android with has Froyo running on it.

@KnightNZ

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theanalyst

18 posts

Geek

#329564 12-May-2010 22:35

Cheers for that. Have you used this site before?
If it is (as it appears to be) legit and cheap then I'll be making the order my N1 tomorrow night!
Thanks again.

theanalyst

18 posts

Geek

#333310 22-May-2010 16:42

Okay, my N1 is almost here....finally.
Just want to check a few things with you fine folk.
1/ I've read that the best way to get the most out of Android is to 'Condition' the battery by charging fully before first use, then operating until the battery is totally drained, followed by another full charge. From then on the battery is supposed to be charged at any time. Has anyone tried this or heard of it working.
2/ Can I presume that a US adaptor for NZ/AUS plugs is sufficient, not sure if I need a converter or not.
3/ has anyone heard if there are any plans for voice navigation to be added for NZ/AUD? I scimmed through Froyo and ddn't see it.
Cheers.
PS.Here's how long it has taken my phone to get here through Comgateway through DHOl
It is currently 22/05/10 @4:40ish (I've alreday paid the customs duty).

Tracking history... Help
Date and time Status Location Service Area
5/21/2010 2:57 am Clearance Delay Auckland, New Zealand
5/20/2010 6:31 am Transit through DHL facility Auckland, New Zealand
                6:11 am Processing for clearance Auckland, New Zealand
                6:11 am Clearance Delay Auckland, New Zealand
5/18/2010 11:07 am Depart Facility Los Angeles Gateway, CA
                10:45 am Processed at DHL Location. Los Angeles Gateway, CA
                12:55 am Transit through DHL facility Los Angeles Gateway, CA
5/17/2010 6:50 pm Depart Facility Portland, OR
                6:49 pm Processed at DHL Location. Portland, OR
                5:17 pm Departing origin. Portland, OR
                4:18 pm Shipment picked up Portland, OR

kyhwana2

2553 posts

Uber Geek

#333346 22-May-2010 19:07

theanalyst:
2/ Can I presume that a US adaptor for NZ/AUS plugs is sufficient, not sure if I need a converter or not.

Only if the power brick/charger itself takes 110-240V (50-60hz). Otherwise you'll need a voltage converter as well..

But can't you charge it via USB?

helicrew

77 posts

Master Geek

#333351 22-May-2010 19:25

theanalyst: Okay, my N1 is almost here....finally.
Just want to check a few things with you fine folk.
1/ I've read that the best way to get the most out of Android is to 'Condition' the battery by charging fully before first use, then operating until the battery is totally drained, followed by another full charge. From then on the battery is supposed to be charged at any time. Has anyone tried this or heard of it working.

I did this and my N1 has been great with battery, but then I don't run a lot of extraneous stuff either YMMV.

pih

558 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#333381 22-May-2010 20:23

theanalyst: Okay, my N1 is almost here....finally.
Just want to check a few things with you fine folk.
1/ I've read that the best way to get the most out of Android is to 'Condition' the battery by charging fully before first use, then operating until the battery is totally drained, followed by another full charge. From then on the battery is supposed to be charged at any time. Has anyone tried this or heard of it working.

I didn't do this specifically (probably should have) but yes a full charge and full discharge is always a good idea. My daily battery life has remained unchanged in 4 months and I'm expecting to notice a shortening of life around 6-9 months given the life of other gadgets I've had. I'd say it will not last a full 16 hour day by around 18 months (I'm only a moderate user, ymmv). Note to self: need to order that extra battery before they stop making them for the N1. Modern batteries are pretty good with regard to "memory effect" though.

theanalyst:
2/ Can I presume that a US adaptor for NZ/AUS plugs is sufficient, not sure if I need a converter or not.

The charger it comes with is a lightweight switching mode (often called "travel adapter") supply, which means it will operate anywhere between 100-240V. A pin adapter is sufficient (but read back in this topic and you'll see a discussion on the merits of these "pin configuration devices"). I'd recommend getting another charger anyway, I've ordered from www.happymobile.co.nz before, Linda there is most helpful and her prices are very reasonable.

theanalyst:
3/ has anyone heard if there are any plans for voice navigation to be added for NZ/AUD? I scimmed through Froyo and ddn't see it.

Not likely in the near future, I'd say it's still a year or so off - they barely got it out for the UK. I'd say Australia and parts of Europe would get it before us, though with the pressure on from Microsoft with Windows Mobile 7 having sat-nav included, I wonder if they might expedite the release over the coming months (although history tells us that you really have to get satnav quite polished country-by-country (road rules and typical road layouts vary hugely by country) before releasing it widely, otherwise it comes back to bite you!)

Again, read back on the discussion and you'll see comments on the good and bad points of the hacked navigation a'la Brut (which I'm still using and thoroughly pleased with), versus other pay options such as CoPilot Live.

NZtechfreak

4649 posts

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#338380 4-Jun-2010 21:06

Interesting bit of news for Nexus owners - Paul OBrian has links to an apparently legit source that have enabled USB host for the Nexus One. I don't know about you guys, but for me that would a huge bonus.

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

Linuxluver

5824 posts

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#338428 5-Jun-2010 01:09

NZtechfreak: Interesting bit of news for Nexus owners - Paul OBrian has links to an apparently legit source that have enabled USB host for the Nexus One. I don't know about you guys, but for me that would a huge bonus.

"USB Host"? What do you mean?

Are you referring to the Froyo update (FRF50) for Nexus One? It does USB and wifi tether without root access required. I've had Paul's image installed on my rooted N1 since the 24th of May.

I've also had the Google-sourced ERE27 to FRF50 update on my UN-rooted N1 since May 24th.

Or are you talking about something else? :-)

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lchiu7

6182 posts

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#338445 5-Jun-2010 08:38

Just a nice new thing about Froyo. The SDK allows access to the LED without rooting so there is a nice LED Torch out there which is really useful. The LED is pretty bright as so does well as a torch in a pinch.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/32019730 Mention GZ to get a 10% discount

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pih

558 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#338466 5-Jun-2010 10:17

Yeah, I'm using LED FlashLight - free, no ads (unlike several others). Amazing how bright it is. The stock camera app also allows a "Flash On" mode for videoing too which is kinda neat (and indicates that Google isn't concerned about prolonged use of the superbright LED that is used - this was a concern with some earlier rooted flashlight apps.

While we're on Froyo updates, I was pleased to see Astrid (a job/task manager, highly recommended) flashes the trackball orange now - kinda cool. I'm also liking the speed increase, although (maybe it's just me) I find the app menu is marginally more laggy now after the update. Using it with a live wallpaper running is almost unbearable (it keeps running in the background even though you can't see it). Otherwise it's a good stable update and I'm finding new things all the time.

My brother went to Google I/O and got two free phones (a Droid was mailed to him after he registered, the other one, a VERY nice Sprint HTC EVO 4G was given to all attendees on the day), but he's keeping his Nexus and selling the others... Interestingly he said that the EVO was stunning but just slightly too big to fit in his pocket - that's what put him off! I'm planning on attending next year (if I can get a ticket).

NZtechfreak

4649 posts

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#338480 5-Jun-2010 11:01

USB Host means being able to plug in USB keyboards, controllers, flash drives, web cams etc etc etc.... A big deal!

So yes, something else indeed! Engadgetmobile has a link the vid now, well worth checking out.

I'm loving the thought of using a third party PSX USB controller for the upcoming PSX emulator...

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

NZtechfreak

4649 posts

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#338600 5-Jun-2010 19:02

Hmmn, no reaction to USB host from Nexus owners here? Really?

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

pih

558 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#338653 5-Jun-2010 22:24

NZtechfreak: Hmmn, no reaction to USB host from Nexus owners here? Really?

To be perfectly honest, I can't see why I'd need it just yet but I think it will become more useful in time.

USB keyboard/mouse/game controller/other HID: touchscreen and accelerometer works fine for me, or bluetooth kbd if I need it (which I don't).

USB mass storage: This is the only thing I might be interested in right now. It would be useful if someone had a USB stick with a file you needed, you could plug it into your ph without needing to boot up a PC to copy it (means carrying around the adapter dongle though)

USB webcam: no. can't see why I would.

USB controllers: now that's an interesting concept, but can't think of anything I'd use it for immediately - I've thought of using a nexus or similar to build an autopilot for my RC heli... that's a few years off yet tho :)

USB printers: conceivably useful, but I'd really like document handling/viewing/editing to improve first, and besides, my printer is on the LAN...

NZtechfreak

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#338659 5-Jun-2010 22:45

The PSX and N64 emulators coming out for the Nexus seem like a pretty good idea with those controllers, especially in concert with a USB to monitor out plug (or an external hard drive loaded with movies and your Nexus +/- the USB monitor out cable). I can think of lots of use-cases...

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

ipsi

55 posts

Master Geek

#344292 22-Jun-2010 20:39

I purchased a Nexus One yesterday, and I've already noticed one or two issues, particularly around 3G:

A couple of times (once at home with dodgy reception, and once in the Wellington CBD with full reception), I found myself unable to receive data - I could send data (the 'Up' arrow in the 3G symbol turned white every now and then), but nothing was coming back down. Put it into Airplane mode, then back to normal, and the problem vanished. However, I don't expect crap like that from a high-end phone like the N1. Has anyone else had this? Is it likely be a phone problem, or a Vodafone problem?

Apart from that, the phone is fantastic! :)

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