Until earlier this week, I was a huge supporter of the Bionic and Motorola. Then Motorola threw out an estimated timeline for ICS updates. Needless to say, like most people, I was not impressed.
So, here I am, with a few questions.
1) Now that we are using SIM cards, how does one go about the process of switching phones? I ask because if I do end up with a Nexus, it'll actually be through my father's corporate phone upgrade, with him getting my Bionic.
2) Have the problems with spotty signal strength been worked out by 4.0.4? People constantly complained about it with their Bionics, but I never had a problem and I'd rather not trade into that.
3) For those of you who may have dropped your phone: How's it held up to the abuse?
4) What's your favorite thing about ICS over Gingerbread? (That's really a "just for fun" question)
Also, I remember briefly skimming over comments on droid-life that mentioned something about Google pulling support/production on the 32gb models...any merit to those comments?
As always, thanks for the help.
I'm not one of the big shots here with a huge reputation or anything. But I can offer what I can for you. And my experience.
1) It is easy. Don't pay attention to the people who say you need to trim and cut your SIM card. That's crap. Instead, go to Amazon and order an adapter that you can put your new micro SIM into and then put it into the Bionic or any other 4G device still utilizing the bigger SIM's.
As far as the upgrade, it depends on who is authorized to make such changes and if they are ok with that. If they are ok with that, and upgrade eligibility is on the account, it's a cake walk. It would be just like any other upgrade (private/residential/individual account, I mean).
2) I know some have had issues with spotty reception. But the same laws of physics apply. And also the law of VZ. Lol. If you are already in a spotty area, it will remain spotty. Period. Until they update that area with more coverage. For the most part, most people that I know of don't have any issues with reception. Could it be better? Of course. Everyone will say that no matter what device they are on. And it will only get better on the Nexus. I have had the DX, DX2, and the Bionic before my GNex. And I am completely satisfied with my GNex. I got tired of Moto's broken and empty promises, and their blatant lies about bootloaders. Case and point (and also Game Point) is the GNex is an unlockable bootloader. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Moto. I have also flashed many ROM's including the 4.0.4 and that (leaked) update is just completely amazing. Just shows PART of the potential of this GNex. The transition from 3G to 4G and visa versa is flawless and smooth like butter.
3) I only dropped my phone once (thank God). I fell asleep on my couch. It is a couch that sits higher than most. And on hard ceramic tiles (Italian style tiles). And despite a minor scuff on the outer corner, it is fine. And also a lot of people were saying that the lack of Gorilla Glass is a downfall from the time that the phone was still in development, from when the GSM version hit Europe first, and then still after the CDMA version hit here in the States. But I can tell you one thing - I saw a video when we all were still having visions or Sugar Nexi dancing in our heads. And in the video, some dude took a key to his screen and it didn't mark it at all. I would still put a screen protector on it. Because I am just paranoid like that. I use Zagg (sentimental reasons). But everyone has their own personal preference. I can testify to the screen not marking. Because when I was wanting to look at the GNex first before deciding to tell Moto to go piss up a rope or not, I went into a Verizon store. And I nonchalantly took my own key to the screen and it didn't mark it.
4) My favorite thing about ICS is seriously EVERYTHING. The system is totally revamped, reworked, smoother, and quite honestly, what Android should have been from the start. It integrates everything well. And after tasting ICS, I cannot go back to GB. A gentleman in galaxynexusforum.com made the analogy of going from Vista/Windows 7 back to Windows 95. I will make the analogy of driving a Camero and then deciding to drive a Pinto or a Pacer instead. I can go on and on about ICS. But I don't have the space to do that. Lol. It does take some getting used to, though. Because certain aspects of it are completely different. But once you start playing with it, using it and get used to it, it is a total package. And you won't ever imagine how you ever got along without it.
And as far as the 32GB models being unsupported anymore, that is completely false. Google came out and officially squashed that rumor. My opinion is it was someone anti-GNex (most likely a rotten apple fanboi or a rotten apple employee that wanted to start some crap). And I feel it has something to do with apple's bogus and stupid lawsuit. Why would Google scratch their flagship? Their baby? Every single Nexus that came out was going strong for AT LEAST a year - year and a half. Even the first Nexus is getting support still. And this bad boy is going to be a contender for quite some time.
But remember, the decision is ultimately yours. And no one elses. You have to go with what feels right for you. And only you. And of course if the authorizing party OK's it.
Hope that was helpful. Good luck! Hopefully we'll see you around!
*Edit - In the 30+ minutes it took me to write this, I see people started to chime in! Excellent!
*Further edited - And your last question about SIM cards being tied to phone numbers. It is basically your accounts information key. I have mine. My wife is part of my family share plan and I am the primary. However, hers has her own SIM card. And holds her specific (sub)account information. We can swap phones and SIM cards, and we will retain our own personal information pertaining to the account. So basically, if I took mine and threw it into yours, I will still show my account information, and my unlimited data. Clear as mud? Lmao!
(Apologies for any typos. It's late. And I was typing fast on my phone. Lol. I will try and fix them later)
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( "King of the Self-Edit'" )
Irony. It's what's for dinner.
. And I have gouged glass pretty good with a brass key before. Brass is generally harder than glass. So, therefore will generally exhibit the normal characteristics - the harder material wins the battle.