I love the EVO BUT 10 % awful (Calendar, Skype).

[David737]

I just switched from HTC Touch Pro 2 (WM6.5) to HTC 4G EVO. It follows the 90/10 rule. 90% is great and 10% is awful. We all know about the great items, open platform, wonderful apps & very flexible. I will concentrate on the 10% awful. The biggest weakness is the PIM (Personal Information Management) Section is very weak and not flexible. The second weakness which is easy to discuss, is Skype does not seem to be available for the EVO. I will discuss the PIM weakness details. The Calendar is the most disappointing tool missing many desirable features. I loved being able to copy an appointment and paste it on multiple days in a random pattern and at different times. The Repetition option is not flexible. I want to enter an end date to a repetitive event. I miss having status field (Like Microsoft Outlook) with Free, Tentative, Busy & Out of office as choices. Fixing the Calendar in an APP would be great. The other desirable PIM would be adding a Task (or TO DO) feature like Microsoft & iPhone has that syncs with Outlook on my desktop computer using Exchange server. If anyone has an APP for Skype on the EVO for a $20 or less APP that just adds Copy & Paste to the Calendar in the EVO I would be very happy. I would also pay $50 for an APP that gives the Calendar all the tools that the iPhone or Windows Mobile has in the Calendar or other PIM (Outlook features). Thanks for letting me vent my frustration with a great phone and wonderful OS.

 

[Edge767]

Thanks, David.

I agree with the PIM tools. As a business/power user, this is the only aspect of the phone I'm having the hardest time coming to grips with. I've been reading up on some fixes in the app catalog, but I'm also waiting on Froyo. It seems that there will be many great improvements to the OS that will correct many deficiencies we're having to live with right now. I sure do hope the Evo gets Froyo sooner rather than later! I think the nail in the iPhone's coffin (for many people, but obviously not all) will be the Evo with Froyo.

 

[the d]

Nimbuzz and fring will both log into your Skype account. I haven't tried making a video call over fring yet, but the phone and chat functions work just fine. Skype has announced that they are going to release an Android application, just not when (I'd bet before the end of the Summer).

I haven't had any problems with the Calendar as of yet, but my scheduling is fairly simple. You should post your Calendar question in the Applications section of the forum. I'm sure that you will get some helpful suggestions (or just do a search on appbrain). Good luck.

 

[bobodobo]

Skype for Android is available on Verizon phones, but it's my understanding (I'm sure someone will correct me politely if I'm wrong) that they have an exclusive agreement. But there are work-arounds as mentioned above.

I agree also with the PIM bit. It's crazy that calendars on Palm devices 10 years ago had more functionality than the Android calendar. You can use the (free) Mark/Space Fliq applications for Calendar and Notes, they have more of the features you (and I) want but still not everything. And Fliq apps won't sync with Google apps, you have to buy Missing Sync and sync with your computer.

 

[dfine1966]

I am using skype for Video calls already through Fring (which is free, by the way.) Look for FRING in the marketplace. Skype connected with no problem, especially with Video, on the EVO. It works pretty well and better than Qik (which doesn't do Skype), but is a video chatting program.

 

[pwnst_r]

The skype "issue" shouldn't fall under that 10%. You should have done your research.

 

[oddlou]

Another vote for Fring in lieu of Skype. Or rather, Skype through Fring in lieu of a stand-alone Skype application. I've video-called through it already and it works fine.

 

[companionlink]

It's crazy that calendars on Palm devices 10 years ago had more functionality than the Android calendar.

CompanionLink hears your cries for help! We also found the Android calendar to be lacking in terms of business functionality, so we've developed our own calendar app for Android called DejaOffice.

DejaOffice supports many advanced features, such as color-coded categories, linking calendar entries to contacts, multiple views and robust search options. DejaOffice pulls its contacts and calendar data from the native Android apps, or from CompanionLink's PC sync software. DejaOffice is available at no cost from the Android Market, or from www.dejaoffice.com

The other desirable PIM would be adding a Task (or TO DO) feature like Microsoft & iPhone has that syncs with Outlook on my desktop computer

DejaOffice also offers a task/to-do list, and can sync with Outlook using CompanionLink (USB sync only for now). Check out CompanionLink's sync options for the HTC EVO 4G at www.companionlink.com/phones/htc-evo-4g.html

 

[Gekko]

i'm an 11+ year user of the PalmOS PIMs and loved them. new to Android with the EVO BUT the Android Contacts and Calendar apps are starting to grow on me. it just takes a little time to get used to a new way of doing things.

 

[Genetic_Bloom]

Skype is coming to all Android phones later this year they said so you won't have to worry about that soon enough.