Questions about San Francisco

[Guest dingbat01]

Hi.

My other half wants an android but is locked into a long-term contract with a rubbish phone. My own phone is a Galaxy which I get through work and she's become quite enamoured by it.

We're not flush with cash so simply purchasing a Galaxy or Desire sim-free isn't really an option.

I've had a look around and the best options seem to be (either sim-free or by purchasing a pre-pay model from her current provider):

- HTC Wildfire

- LG Optimus One

- Samsung Galaxy Apollo

I then happened to read about the Orange San Francisco!

First question: is it really that much better than the other three mentioned above?

Second question: in general use, what differences would she notice between the SF and, for example, the Samsung Galaxy?

Third question: can one watch online tv on the SF? Like the RTE Player (Irish version of the BBC player)?

Fourth question: can it be synced with iTunes using Doubletwist? (I know this is possible for the Galaxy)

Fifth question: one of the things I've seen mentioned is a problem with flash. Since iphones can't run it either I'm not really sure what this means in practice (i.e. there are millions of iphone users who all seem to be using their phones perfectly happily). This could be the most stupid question of them all but why is not being able to run flash a problem?

Last question (I promise): I live in Ireland so the SF is not available here. However, a relatively quick drive to Northern Ireland to purchase a pre-paid Orange (£120) would solve that problem. She is by no means technical in nature and I'm not much better. How long are we talking about to unlock it and put a "standard" version of Android onto it?

Sorry if the above seem like really obvious questions. I'd love to be able to surprise her with a new android phone without destroying our finances but, before driving to Northern Ireland and getting into the whole unlocking/software installation extravaganza, I just want to be sure it would do the job.

I really do appreciate any help possible.

Edited March 10, 2011 by dingbat01

[Guest Mushroom_Lord]

Hi.

My other half wants an android but is locked into a long-term contract with a rubbish phone. My own phone is a Galaxy which I get through work and she's become quite enamoured by it.

We're not flush with cash so simply purchasing a Galaxy or Desire sim-free isn't really an option.

I've had a look around and the best options seem to be (either sim-free or by purchasing a pre-pay model from her current provider):

- HTC Wildfire

- LG Optimus One

- Samsung Galaxy Apollo

I then happened to read about the Orange San Francisco!

First question: is it really that much better than the other three mentioned above?

Second question: in general use, what differences would she notice between the SF and, for example, the Samsung Galaxy?

Third question: can one watch online tv on the SF? Like the RTE Player (Irish version of the BBC player)?

Fourth question: can it be synced with iTunes using Doubletwist? (I know this is possible for the Galaxy)

Fifth question: one of the things I've seen mentioned is a problem with flash. Since iphones can't run it either I'm not really sure what this means in practice (i.e. there are millions of iphone users who all seem to be using their phones perfectly happily). This could be the most stupid question of them all but why is not being able to run flash a problem?

Last question (I promise): I live in Ireland so the SF is not available here. However, a relatively quick drive to Northern Ireland to purchase a pre-paid Orange (£120) would solve that problem. She is by no means technical in nature and I'm not much better. How long are we talking about to unlock it and put a "standard" version of Android onto it?

Sorry if the above seem like really obvious questions. I'd love to be able to surprise her with a new android phone without destroying our finances but, before driving to Northern Ireland and getting into the whole unlocking/software installation extravaganza, I just want to be sure it would do the job.

I really do appreciate any help possible.

certainly better screen and processor than the wildfire. pretty sure tis cheaper than the lg, and the appollo, and is infinitely more customizable.

in general use, very little, once running a new froyo ROM which has been over clocked. launchers run smooth. only graphically intensive apps show lags (eg asphalt 5)

Pretty sure it can be synced with itunes if not with doubletwist, certainly another program

Im not sure about the tv one, the player ive tried required FLASH (theres an issure with flash for you) which the blade cannot support. However, there may be other verisons avaliable that do work.

Is there no argos in ireland O.o?

to unlock etc, depending on download speeds, about 1hr tops.

[Guest TheManicGibbon]

How long are we talking about to unlock it and put a "standard" version of Android onto it?

To unlock, roughly 5 minutes :) . Free unlock codes are available on the internet, and all you have to do is enter the IMEI number (printed under the battery on the phone itself) and it will give you an unlock code. If you put another SIM into the phone, you will be prompted to enter an unlock code, and you simply enter the code and voila!

If youre "not technical" then there is no reason not to stick with the stock ROM (the version of Android that came on the phone) since it is easily customisable with an app such as Launcher Pro, which will allow you to hide the useless Orange apps, and give you an interface much more like the "standard" android experience. This also has the benefit of not voiding your warranty. :(

Hope this helps :(

[Guest GX390]

My mate has a wildfire and if I was honest the screen looks horrible compared to the San Francisco

[Guest eLJay]

Alternately go straight to a 2.2 ROM.

Or alternatively install Cyanogen mod 7 when you have already played angry birds (crashes on startup after this update) and you want the WiFi part of your phone to finally work with secure WiFi routers and the headphone volume to be loud enough. Which is what I have just done and my phone is a lot easier to use.

[Guest razedboy]

I had Wildfire and sold it for SanFran. With 240x320 resolution @ the screen you miss all stuff that android is about (games support, wallpapers look ugly @ home screen, obvious pixels, browser @ max zoom look rubbish,...). Even 5MP camera sux on WF because there are too many pixels for this bad len, so cameras all equal. SanFran is easy to root, unlock ( http://arrtoo.x10.mx/unlockBlade.php just write IMEI in), customize ( http://android.modaco.com/content/zte-blad...-the-zte-blade/ use recovery manager) ... Advantage for Wildfire:very good multi touch, but can't use it (no GPU, bad proc). M_Lord said "only graphically intensive apps show lags". I have to say all hd games are playable, just watch some videos @ youtube.

Phone for 115 € has excellent quality.

Just buy SanFran, put custom rom on (2.2 or CM7) & it will blow your mind!

Edited March 10, 2011 by razedboy

[Guest dingbat01]

Thanks for the replies.

So the screen is much better - that's the big difference. Ok.

So some things need flash and these won't work. Still a little unclear but ok.

What's the Wifi problem?

Are there Angry Birds issues? (the angry birds thing is a little concerning because I think she'd love it :()

[Guest HMZX]

Thanks for the replies.

So the screen is much better - that's the big difference. Ok.

So some things need flash and these won't work. Still a little unclear but ok.

What's the Wifi problem?

Are there Angry Birds issues? (the angry birds thing is a little concerning because I think she'd love it :()

Sometimes the wifi disconnects after you switch the phone back on after putting it into sleep.

No biggie, just install blade wifi fix from the market

Angry birds can be a tiny bit slow compared to your sgs but put a 2.2 rom on there and you'll be fine

[Guest surfatwork]

http://orangesanfrancisco.co.uk/ provides some step by step guides on how to get it all working. For the money, this is the best £100 I ever spent I think.

[Guest PedroVader]

I've convinced 7 others in the family/friends circle to get a San Fran, no complaints yet.

Latest version of Angry Birds lets you turn off the animated background, which helps even more with the speed.

On current experience, I've found the TPT (Total Phone Transfer) method to work best for me, at least when doing the upgrade for others, JJ9 is the rom of choice either way.

I've had 2 Desires and a Wildfire, despite the specs my Blade still knocks them out of the park. I'll miss it when I go for the ZTE Skate later this year!!!

PV

[Guest ronc2000]

If the price is £200, OSF can be compared with other similar priced phones and still wins in many departments, except camera.

For £100, it is a steal!

[Guest jonmac73]

I echo all responses so far - best phone I have had - brings smartphone to everyone's pocket. I'm having great fun with mine.

Unlock is ridiculously easy.

ROM MOD - follow the guides - <1hr & it was the first time I had done anything like this on a mobile too. Followed the guides & went with FBL 9b from here - no lockups/crashes/issues for 4 weeks.

Only thing is d/l 'blade wifi fix' from market - basically forces wifi to connect back when phone comes out of sleep - if you don't look at the screen to see it kick in you wouldn't even know it was there.

[Guest dingbat01]

Thanks for the replies folks. Much appreciated.

Looks like I'll have a little project for myself to try to make the little lady happy :D

[Guest irishpancake]

Hi dingbat01....

I'm from RoI too, went to Argos.co.uk online to check if the OSF was available in any NI Argos.....costs £99, incl £10 PAYG on Orange SIM, plus a further £10 which yoy have to reg for.

There was only 1, yes, ONE phone available in all the NI Argos's, in the Grey/Brown, and that was in Dungannon, so I reserved for pick-up next day, which was Paddys Day... :D , but I got it any way, for about €117.

I was impressed that i could unlockfor free in 10 mins, put in my Tesco Ireland SIM, and was up and running in jig time.

There was a slight problem in installing Froyo 2.2, in that the newer phones (B10) have fastboot disabled, but believe me, Rom Manager is your friend, from Market for free.

I have Froyo 2.2 Swedish Spring on mine now, but will upgrade to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)....CyanogenMod 7.0.0-RC2 as soon as I can pluck up the courage....

Hope you get one.

BTW, RTE Player not possible due to Flash not being supported on the OSF/Blade Processor (ARM V.6) needs V.7 AFAIK. (No Flash possible at all)

Down to Adobe's lack of support :D

Edited March 23, 2011 by irishpancake

[Guest dingbat01]

Hi dingbat01....

I'm from RoI too, went to Argos.co.uk online to check if the OSF was available in any NI Argos.....costs £99, incl £10 PAYG on Orange SIM, plus a further £10 which yoy have to reg for.

There was only 1, yes, ONE phone available in all the NI Argos's, in the Grey/Brown, and that was in Dungannon, so I reserved for pick-up next day, which was Paddys Day... :) , but I got it any way, for about €117.

I was impressed that i could unlockfor free in 10 mins, put in my Tesco Ireland SIM, and was up and running in jig time.

There was a slight problem in installing Froyo 2.2, in that the newer phones (B10) have fastboot disabled, but believe me, Rom Manager is your friend, from Market for free.

I have Froyo 2.2 Swedish Spring on mine now, but will upgrade to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)....CyanogenMod 7.0.0-RC2 as soon as I can pluck up the courage....

Hope you get one.

BTW, RTE Player not possible due to Flash not being supported on the OSF/Blade Processor (ARM V.6) needs V.7 AFAIK. (No Flash possible at all)

Down to Adobe's lack of support :(

Many thanks for your reply. Sorry for the lateness of my thanks :)