I was surprised to see that there was no manual that came with the DROID X, but I looked in the Help Center app, and there is the User Guide, installed on the phone. That's probably why there's no print manual, since it's preloaded onto the DRIOD X.
SRD wrote:My friend just bought a pay-as-you-go NET10 (LG) phone for $30. It came with a nice glossy detailed user manual. My $600 DROID X came with a quick start guide that did not even explain how to install the battery and its cover. Sure I finally downloaded the manual after I found it, but why did I have to? Now that's cheap.
I can tell from all your whining posts that you are not happy with the phone. Simply use your 30 day guarantee and get a phone you like.
I personally don't see why someone would compare a fancy user manual from a crap phone to anything with a Droid X.
The person may have bought the phone for $30 but I am sure that the price wasn't the full retail price of the phone. Just like your Droid is about $600 retail, I would hope that you didn't pay that much for it.
More simple phones are sold with user manuals because the manufacturer feels that those type of buyers may need more help in getting used to the phone. They are basic phones that are normally purchased by first time users of cellphones or older generations of people.
Smartphones and BlackBerry's are normally used by people who have more sense about how a cellphone works. BlackBerry has included quick start guides in their packaging and then the user manual on a CD. I am not surprised that the Droid didn't come with a large book in the packaging. It's available online and most of the features are easy to figure out. But if it gets too hard for you then you can always change it out for a more simple phone with a bigger user manual.
Don't forget to Go Green!
SRD wrote:Ok guys. It was not necessary to be insulting in your replies. I am a computer engineer with about 40 years experience - maybe using the web longer than some of you have been alive. I waited a long time to get a smart phone until they could come close to my expectations. But I am otherwise an app phone virgin - no apologies for my questions here. If you have nothing constructive to say in reply, best to remain silent. Some of us like and know how to use that oldest of technologies called a book aka Basic On-line Organized Knowledge, and we prefer it for reference. It is a trade-off of trees for energy use to keep loading pixels.
+1
Yes, I'd rather they put the money in the phone hardware or software instead of spending it on a User Manual hardcopy. They have the manual in the phone or online for you to download and/or print your own hardcopy if you so desire.
Patiently/Impatiently waiting for the release on Android 2.2!
I asked that same question to a customer service person at VW. Shs stated it was because there were so many ways to customize the X, that a manual would only cover part of it. I got the manual from the website and preinted it. It's not really helpful --only touches on the minimum basics. I learn more by playing around with the phone, on here and as a last resort by calling cs.
I don't care what you do or who you are -- there is a learning curve. I had the iphone before this. It was easy compared to the x, but the x can do so many more things. It's not for eveyone though. I'm still getting used to it. Spent too much time learning things on it to get it where I want it. Do I like it --yes. Do I love it - only time will tell.
Good luck!
Dear Butthead,{please keep your posts courteous} I did figure out the battery install pretty quick, but suppose this was your first such gadget. Without that manual it is possible to rip out the battery extraction tab, and damage the cover putting the battery in before you ever get the chance to read the help that comes in the phone I feel it is inexcusable that, in the absense of a full manual, the quick start guide does not show how to install the battery. Plus there are many errors of omission in the user guide, and there is some real misinformation there.So far I do like the phone overall. But there its plenty of room for improvement, and I hope someone at verizon is monitoring these complaints - not just you.
SRD wrote:Dear Butthead,Appears you have earned your nickname. I did figure out the battery install pretty quick, but suppose this was your first such gadget. Without that manual it is possible to rip out the battery extraction tab, and damage the cover putting the battery in before you ever get the chance to read the help that comes in the phone I feel it is inexcusable that, in the absense of a full manual, the quick start guide does not show how to install the battery. Plus there are many errors of omission in the user guide, and there is some real misinformation there.So far I do like the phone overall. But there its plenty of room for improvement, and I hope someone at verizon is monitoring these complaints - not just you.
Hard to believe tthat someone who has never owned a cell phone before would jump in by buying a carriers "flagship" phone.... and that they would do it online. At least if they went to a store, they would be shown how to install the battery. But, I guess it is possible. Also, when I've just spent over $200 on a gadget small enoungh to fit in the palm of my hand, I sure don't "rip into it" like it was indestructable. i.e. prying on battery covers and jerking on battery removal tabs. But like I said before, I guess it is possible.
This makes me think about seat belts when flying. You know the video or flight attendant demonstration of how to buckle and unbuckle a seat belt before take-off?. That requirement by the FAA to have the seat belt instruction when flying was mandated way back before all cars were required to have seatbelts, and therefore most people weren't familiar with how seatbelts worked. I think George Carlin said it best when he said (in a routine before he died) "If you don't know how to buckle and unbuckle a seatbelt by now, you shouldn't be allowed to fly." He said it to be funny for sure but you see his point.
I remain... Patiently/Impatiently waiting for the release of Android 2.2!
keepingitreal wrote: The person may have bought the phone for $30 but I am sure that the price wasn't the full retail price of the phone. Just like your Droid is about $600 retail, I would hope that you didn't pay that much for it. More simple phones are sold with user manuals because the manufacturer feels that those type of buyers may need more help in getting used to the phone. They are basic phones that are normally purchased by first time users of cellphones or older generations of people. Smartphones and BlackBerry's are normally used by people who have more sense about how a cellphone works. BlackBerry has included quick start guides in their packaging and then the user manual on a CD. I am not surprised that the Droid didn't come with a large book in the packaging. It's available online and most of the features are easy to figure out. But if it gets too hard for you then you can always change it out for a more simple phone with a bigger user manual. Don't forget to Go Green!
I didn't think of it as going green until just now when you said that. I like that. Guess it does help out the environment (less paper). Kudos
I e-mailed Motorola on Saturday ask for 3 they overnighted them received on Monday.
Thats not a lot of help if you cant turn the phone on LOL!!!!!!! This Phone is more of a pain than its worth.
If you call motorola and ask for the user guide for the droid x, they will be more than happy to send you one for FREE.
I received mine in three days. it's a 64 page manual.
You can also go to Moto's website and order the manual for free. I got mine in less than a week.
http://www.motorola.com/consumers/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=9d42a5eb51aa9210VgnVCM1000008406b00aRCRD&vgnextchannel=25aae66506e9d110VgnVCM1000008406b00aRCRD
See the link on the right to "request the printed copy".
I agree that it kind of cheap not to include this small manual with the product (considering the other non-value added paperwork in the box). I switched from a Palm Treo 650 (talk about holding out!), so moving to an Android platform was anything but intuitive for me.
There is a "Droid for Dummies" being offered by Amazon.com about mid September
I went on Motorola's website. Found the Droid X, look to the left and there is a place to click where you can order a manual. I filled it out, and they shipped it free in 2 days Fed Ex.
A couple things to consider:
First, by not including a hard copy manual, Moto saves some money. Which, in theory at least, saves us some money (he said laughing).
Second, by not putting a hard copy in every box, Moto is going green. RGP, you might of printed yours and used resources. But, not everyone prints the manual. So resources are saved.
How many people buy a new toy and quickly look at the owners manual and toss it aside to never (or maybe occasionally) look at it again (He said raising his hand). So why waste the resources and money.
I buy a fair amount of electronic toys and software and have noticed that the Online Manual is the way a lot of companies are going. So Moto/ Verizon are not the only ones.
I do agree with SDR and think that Moto should talk about putting in the battery and especially mentioning about the tab in the Quick Start guide. Anything after that was pretty straight forward. Turning it on pretty much stepped you through the set up process. Also they do give you several options in the Quick Start guide on help. Getting the owners manual on line as PDF or hard copy through Moto. Also getting help on the phone, on line, or using the Help App (which I guess would be useless if you could not put in the battery. Not a shot at anyone with that comment).
I can guarantee that you will see more of this "online manual" thing in the future from many companies.
DroidX one of the most advanced phones doesn't even come with an owners manual. What is up with that, is Verizon trying to go "GREEN" or just being being cheap and saving thousands in printing cost?
If one is worried about the environment then they could always recycle their OM.
Hard copy manuals are becoming extinct because, yes, we're trying not to use paper anymore. I'm not an environmentalist or a "tree hugger", but I don't mind online manuals or onscreen tutorials at all. Companies out there DO save money by not printing manuals. It's an economic FACT. Companies are out there to maximize profit and make as much money as possible. Welcome to Capitalism. If you run a business and discover that you can save thousands by doing things electronically, instead of on paper, you'd jump on it. Banks do it. Insurance companies do it. Sweet Jesus even the DMV (or MVA depending on what state you live in) does it. The DMV actually penalizes you if you don't pay online (in Virginia, anyway).
I'm 40 years old, myself, and I remember the days of hardcover manuals. They were awesome and they saved the day when you were scratching your head having a WTF moment. However, they also took up a lot of space in my home, when combined with all the OTHER manuals for other products. I've had a nice transition into the Digital Age, and I don't really miss the manuals anymore. I can't misplace them or lose them or spill something on them. Now I can simply hit the internet and download a file to keep....or print.
Some of the other contributors up there are correct. The more advanced technology gets, the more options and customizing abilities we will have. There's no point in producing millions of manuals that are 500 pages each....simply to detail every little function the Droid is capable of. It's just not cost-effective......and that's the name of the game these days in corporate America. Cost-effectiveness. Yes, the company owes it to you....to detail how their product and all its options work....but they don't have to print a book to do it. They either stick the manual online (like Motorola).....or incorporate a little app on the phone to help you.
I love books just like SDR. I can appreciate a PDF file too. (And yes....the Quick Start should at least have battery instructions if they're going to make you rely on the Help Center app).
Cheers !
~AF
bobsgotmagic wrote: DroidX one of the most advanced phones doesn't even come with an owners manual. What is up with that, is Verizon trying to go "GREEN" or just being being cheap and saving thousands in printing cost? If one is worried about the environment then they could always recycle their OM.
As someone else said looks like Verizon went green this time! If you do think about it yes it is cheaper to do that
I don't think it needs a manual. The fold out is more than enough information to get you started, it covers all the basics. And there were definitely directions for installing the battery & cover...maybe you were too stuck on the absence of the manual?
