glad they are offering this but need to fix some software issues (ok they can't fix the power button and vol placement)
after playing with an Samsung s3 the HTC ONE x seems half baked power button placement not well thought out for the size of the phone (Samsung worked that out on the s3,) the cam geo tag GPS Feature does not work correctly on the one x(you have to open google maps first get an GPS fix and then open the cam software so it uses last known GPS lock, as its not using the GPS like my old HTC desire and most others phones use actively GPS when taking picture when Geotaging is on) WiFi and mobile turns off at night to about 6am even when plugged
the phone seems to have been made for left hand users as well, power button is on the top right should be top left or the right side of the phone,(vol is norm on the left side of the phone) the hang up and answer has been flipped (answer should be on the left and hang up on the right as that's how all phones are first 4 times I did it I was dropping the call it's still incorrect way when the phone is unlocked as well ) if your an left hand phone user you love this phone
some other things as well above is the main issues
It's amazing how much I disagree with you about the power button. The power button should be on the top.
I can't count how many times I've tried to turn off the GNex and ended up lowering the volume or taking a screenshot. And not being able to power or off because I'm squeezing one of the volume buttons while trying to press the power button.
It's funny how I partially disagree with both of you. I prefer the right side power button (as in Galaxy Nexus) for larger phones because it's awkward to reach the power on top with one hand. At the same time if the power button is on top I definitely prefer the right side once again because even if I'm right handed I mostly use the phone one handed with my left and I was never able to easily reach the top left power button in the only phone I've seen with this disposition recently, the Sony Xperia S.
You are all wrong. Samsung has the best arrangement with the power button on the side, vol buttons on the left side. This is for right handed people (but the phone is in the left hand).
Because of the power button arrangement on the HTX One X (actually ALL HTC phones) at the top is why I didn't buy it. Its a stretch to reach it. The power connector on the HTX is odd at the side, which means it could be in the way of your hand if you are charging your phone.
Apple Phones home button makes things easy because its in the front. And the SGS3 puts a home button on the front as well, which is nice.
But it looks like I'll get the Motorola Atrix HD which has power/VOL buttons on the right side. Having the vol. button there is a bit awkward after 2 years of Samsung... but I think it'll be fine.
PS: Funny thing on Lumia900 phones... pressing all the buttons on the right side at the same time will factory reset the phone - DELETING all the data from the phone. No warning, no confirmation... gone.
I use my phone right handed. Volume is perfectly placed to be used by my thumb. I also use the power button with my thumb, so no problems here as a right handed person :D
That's how the menu works on my Nexus 7 with the tablet interface while running Paranoid Android. It's a not bad solution for some of the kludge remaining because app developers haven't fixed stuff to not need the menu button. Touch and it pops up recent apps and long press it pops up the menu for apps that still have it. I do have to turn the tablet interface one, it's not set that way for the 'phablet' interface, but it's a step.
I like the the menu button, it ensures that the menu is always accessed from the same location. Without a dedicated menu button, what's to keep each app from having it's menu in a different place? And how is the average consumer going to know that a short-press or long-press will change a button's behavior? The dedicated menu button is much more straightforward and avoids confusion, I'm glad my phone has one.
Google deprecated the menu button because it wasn't obvious to the customer. Some apps didn't have any functionality for the menu button, some hide their entire functionality behind a press of the menu button.
Ever since ICS the style guideline was for apps to have an action bar where the most common functions are located and an overflow menu if there were more funtion than screen space or for settings.
The only confusion could be if that bar would be at the top or bottom.
"And how is the average consumer going to know that a short-press or long-press will change a button's behavior? The dedicated menu button is much more straightforward and avoids confusion, I'm glad my phone has one."
You set the behaviour under settings, look at the screenshot. Default behaviour is recent apps button = recent apps and nothing else.
They may also be dealing with the issues with Apple by making the buttons DIFFERENT from the stupidity you see on the iPhone. The one button takes you out of what you are doing there, so with this change, they are making Android operate differently. This seems like a better approach overall since the task switcher is more important than "home" or menu for power users.
I agree with you, I like the menu button a lot. whenever I need something, I always press the menu button first. It's so much easier to touch the options popup by the menu button than looking for buttons all over the screen and try to reach for it. The menu button is especially nice for a larger phones. I think Google should try to keep both the menu button and the on screen buttons, I know it's redundant but it's so much better in many cases. Just like the back button, so much better than trying to look for a "back" button on the screen.
This is one of the biggest thing I need to get use to with my Nexus 7 versus my SGS2. A task switcher versus a menu button.
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
16 Comments
Back to Article
leexgx - Saturday, August 4, 2012 - link
glad they are offering this but need to fix some software issues (ok they can't fix the power button and vol placement)after playing with an Samsung s3 the HTC ONE x seems half baked
power button placement not well thought out for the size of the phone (Samsung worked that out on the s3,)
the cam geo tag GPS Feature does not work correctly on the one x(you have to open google maps first get an GPS fix and then open the cam software so it uses last known GPS lock, as its not using the GPS like my old HTC desire and most others phones use actively GPS when taking picture when Geotaging is on)
WiFi and mobile turns off at night to about 6am even when plugged
the phone seems to have been made for left hand users as well, power button is on the top right should be top left or the right side of the phone,(vol is norm on the left side of the phone) the hang up and answer has been flipped (answer should be on the left and hang up on the right as that's how all phones are first 4 times I did it I was dropping the call it's still incorrect way when the phone is unlocked as well ) if your an left hand phone user you love this phone
some other things as well above is the main issues
bearxor - Saturday, August 4, 2012 - link
It's amazing how much I disagree with you about the power button. The power button should be on the top.I can't count how many times I've tried to turn off the GNex and ended up lowering the volume or taking a screenshot. And not being able to power or off because I'm squeezing one of the volume buttons while trying to press the power button.
RaLX - Saturday, August 4, 2012 - link
It's funny how I partially disagree with both of you. I prefer the right side power button (as in Galaxy Nexus) for larger phones because it's awkward to reach the power on top with one hand. At the same time if the power button is on top I definitely prefer the right side once again because even if I'm right handed I mostly use the phone one handed with my left and I was never able to easily reach the top left power button in the only phone I've seen with this disposition recently, the Sony Xperia S.Belard - Monday, August 6, 2012 - link
You are all wrong.Samsung has the best arrangement with the power button on the side, vol buttons on the left side. This is for right handed people (but the phone is in the left hand).
Because of the power button arrangement on the HTX One X (actually ALL HTC phones) at the top is why I didn't buy it. Its a stretch to reach it. The power connector on the HTX is odd at the side, which means it could be in the way of your hand if you are charging your phone.
Apple Phones home button makes things easy because its in the front. And the SGS3 puts a home button on the front as well, which is nice.
But it looks like I'll get the Motorola Atrix HD which has power/VOL buttons on the right side. Having the vol. button there is a bit awkward after 2 years of Samsung... but I think it'll be fine.
PS: Funny thing on Lumia900 phones... pressing all the buttons on the right side at the same time will factory reset the phone - DELETING all the data from the phone. No warning, no confirmation... gone.
kmmatney - Monday, August 6, 2012 - link
All of you are wrong. Wherever the iPhone 5 buttons are will be the best way.nafhan - Tuesday, August 7, 2012 - link
On 3.5" to 4" screen phones, the top is a great place for a power button, IMO. Could definitely see it being an issue with larger phones, though.KamikaZeeFu - Sunday, August 5, 2012 - link
I use my phone right handed. Volume is perfectly placed to be used by my thumb. I also use the power button with my thumb, so no problems here as a right handed person :Dmfenn - Saturday, August 4, 2012 - link
First paragraph, the word you are looking for is "deprecates".MadMan007 - Saturday, August 4, 2012 - link
No! The menu button is worth less now.seamonkey79 - Saturday, August 4, 2012 - link
That's how the menu works on my Nexus 7 with the tablet interface while running Paranoid Android. It's a not bad solution for some of the kludge remaining because app developers haven't fixed stuff to not need the menu button. Touch and it pops up recent apps and long press it pops up the menu for apps that still have it. I do have to turn the tablet interface one, it's not set that way for the 'phablet' interface, but it's a step.psinno - Saturday, August 4, 2012 - link
Really helps your brand perception when you treat the global HTC One X as a second rate phone.LordConrad - Saturday, August 4, 2012 - link
I like the the menu button, it ensures that the menu is always accessed from the same location. Without a dedicated menu button, what's to keep each app from having it's menu in a different place? And how is the average consumer going to know that a short-press or long-press will change a button's behavior? The dedicated menu button is much more straightforward and avoids confusion, I'm glad my phone has one.KamikaZeeFu - Sunday, August 5, 2012 - link
Google deprecated the menu button because it wasn't obvious to the customer. Some apps didn't have any functionality for the menu button, some hide their entire functionality behind a press of the menu button.Ever since ICS the style guideline was for apps to have an action bar where the most common functions are located and an overflow menu if there were more funtion than screen space or for settings.
The only confusion could be if that bar would be at the top or bottom.
"And how is the average consumer going to know that a short-press or long-press will change a button's behavior? The dedicated menu button is much more straightforward and avoids confusion, I'm glad my phone has one."
You set the behaviour under settings, look at the screenshot. Default behaviour is recent apps button = recent apps and nothing else.
Targon - Sunday, August 5, 2012 - link
They may also be dealing with the issues with Apple by making the buttons DIFFERENT from the stupidity you see on the iPhone. The one button takes you out of what you are doing there, so with this change, they are making Android operate differently. This seems like a better approach overall since the task switcher is more important than "home" or menu for power users.amdwilliam1985 - Monday, August 6, 2012 - link
I agree with you, I like the menu button a lot. whenever I need something, I always press the menu button first. It's so much easier to touch the options popup by the menu button than looking for buttons all over the screen and try to reach for it.The menu button is especially nice for a larger phones. I think Google should try to keep both the menu button and the on screen buttons, I know it's redundant but it's so much better in many cases.
Just like the back button, so much better than trying to look for a "back" button on the screen.
This is one of the biggest thing I need to get use to with my Nexus 7 versus my SGS2. A task switcher versus a menu button.
dexterx - Wednesday, October 17, 2012 - link
I sim unlocked my HTC One X..am i eligible for upgradation??If I update my phone, will i be getting any problems??
Some one please confirm..many thanks in advance..