Well - I had followed the HTC Incredible hype since Dec 2009. So, when Verizon finally confirmed it, I just could not wait any longer. I had to jump to the offer. Here's is a review almost after a month of usage.
It is an Ultimate Phone with the Best & Most Open Mobile OS out there.
1. Home Screens
The Live Wall Papers and Personalization is wonderful. 7 Home Screens is just awesome. I hope app developers do keep in mind that Android is perhaps the best platform for Personalization & Customization. So, if there is any possibility to add Shortcuts or Widgets, they should invest time in doing the same.
2. Apps
Well, of course it does not have a zillion apps like iphone - but pretty much all the good ones have been "ported". There are some nifty ones which do not exist on iphone like the Newsroom or Google Navigation/Listen (I mean all the Google Brand). This phone runs like 30 apps any time. Just go to Usage and you will see the battery draining out with all the apps. But I love running all of them together - its like having a laptop in your hand. Why wouldn't you multitask?
3. Social Integration*
Facebook & Twitter Integration is awesome. It quickly recognizes your contacts and spits out the links to create a wholesome appeal to your contact list. It integrates facebook/twitter etc to create that individual so that you don't have to look at 5 different apps.
*I thought of calling it Facebook Integration coz today Facebook is virtually the Society.
4. Google Voice
I am yet to use this one properly. Its acting as my default Voicemail as of now. The more I read about it the more I get intrigued. It is just an awesome way to customize your usage of phone.
5. My Useful Apps - Checkout the Video
Newsroom - You have to get this one. It's perhaps the best one out there. Its like 36 sources pulling in beautifully formatted news for you. Of course, it cannot beat the way NY Times looks. But, it does it for 36 sources not just NY Times. And NY Times does not provide any customization either. Here in matter of seconds I can refresh the entire room. Some mentions - CNN, BBC, WSJ, Business Week, Google News, ESPN, TOI, NY Times, Engadget, Boing Boing etc.
Navigation - You simply don't need a GPS. I am going to beat the hell out of this app once I am back from India. Heard a lot about it and seems pretty useful.
Dolphin HD - So my iphone friend does not like the Stock Browser and dismisses the complete Incredible. Well, unfortunately the case with Apple is that if you build in something competing with the stock one, Apple kills it. Not in the Android World. That's how Firefox brings in Fennec. Opera bring Mini (well there was great hullaballoo over approving it on iphone in first place). Still, Dolphin HD is like the best browser currently. It uses the entire 3.7" to its disposal and runs awesome. Screen rendering is crisp. iphone users do not like the fact the the letters are small. Well, thats the customization again - I like to see the full page.
Skype - This is the deal breaker though it is recently been "ported" to iphone. Haha. Verizon is the shrewdest carrier to bring in all the nifty features. Skype is so deeply integrated along with multitasking, that you can't tell whether you are getting a call on Skype or Network. Its awesome to keep in touch with my Parents anytime anywhere (except for the subway/path).
NFL Mobile - Alert for *God* level Material
I don't know what Verizon had to do to get this on its App list. But it ****streams**** live NFL Channel to your phone on 3G. Let me tell you - it runs about 1-2 sec lag than actual TV but it is awesome beyond words. You can see every touchdown of Tim Tebow happenning when you are staying late in office or hanging out in some bar which is playing the oldies baseball.
So, there are a lot of more apps. I spend most of my morning and evening time reading Newsroom/Newsrob and listening to Google Listen. I believe this phone is more than apps.
6. Launcher
My iphone friends have no idea what I am talking about here; but then Apple never promised them anything like that. They give you one and you have to accept it. Moreorless it is like 80% satisfying. I tried LauncherPro on Incredible but I had to lose out the HTC Widgets. Launcher Pro is awesome if you like the 3D feel of Nexus One. But I have so much customization in place that the transition between Sense UI and Launcher Pro is not seamless. I enjoy using Sense and have stuck to it. Well, I keep changing the Live Wallpapers :) Try out NexusMod and Flying Android.
Ultimately - The winner is Verizon.
My monthly (thanks to some Corporate Discount) should be around $64 and that "includes" taxes. My data usage after a month was more than 2GB. And I *do not* connect to wifi coz Verizon is supposedly the best carrier out there for 3G. Oh, I did not mention about the 8Mpx Camera. This phone stands to its name. I am attaching a video herewith - all shots taken by my Incredible. I have not learnt use the flash etc, still it's pretty good. Enjoy in Youtube HD.
ps: For making the Videos, I used iMovie on my Mac. Shots were captured using USB Debugging. Checkout this page http://theappslab.com/2010/06/01/how-to-take-a-screenshot-in-android/. All Videos are in HD. Its 514am in the morning now.
