I'm switching from iPhone, few questions...

[DaveTheRealtor]

I'm a former AT&T employee and have been a religious iPhone user since its first incarnation. I am finally starting to feel the effects in my area (Philly Suburbs) of AT&T's ridiculous amount of dropped calls so I am looking to move to Verizon. If I make the switch I will probably order Wednesday. I'm obviously looking into the Droid and after searching around I couldn't find the answers I was really looking for. I was hoping to get some help, so anyone with some useful input would be greatly appreciated.

1) I use 2 Gmail accounts, one for personal and one that I have my corporate Century 21 email forwarded to. With the iPhone I have my personal setup though Exchange and the work account setup to fetch. (I know it sounds backwards, but it just works better for me) Will the Droid Push BOTH of the email accounts?

2) I know that it will sync my contacts and calendars over the air but since I will be dealing with 2 Gmail accounts will it sync the data from both or can I chose what data to sync?

3) Looking at the file formats, it looks like it plays with iTunes formatted music nicely, but will it sync through iTunes or am I dealing with a drag and drop for music, pictures, movies, etc?

4) Since the Google Maps navigation is in Beta, when it's official, is there word on it possibly having a cost?

5) Can the Droid block specific numbers from calling/texting me?

6) What are some "Must Have" apps?

7) Does android have any "How To" videos that could help (kinda like the iPhone has for their OS releases)?

Thanks in advance for all of your help guys/girls! I look forward to becoming an active member of the forums!

Dave

 

[dtboos]

1) I use 2 Gmail accounts, one for personal and one that I have my corporate Century 21 email forwarded to. With the iPhone I have my personal setup though Exchange and the work account setup to fetch. (I know it sounds backwards, but it just works better for me) Will the Droid Push BOTH of the email accounts?

Far as I know, it pushes the main account, but it really is quite fast on multiple accounts as well.....I will let others chime in on this.

3) Looking at the file formats, it looks like it plays with iTunes formatted music nicely, but will it sync through iTunes or am I dealing with a drag and drop for music, pictures, movies, etc?

You don't need to drag and drop. You can sync with multiple players (WM, Songbird ect). I don't use Itunes, but my guess is you would be able to until apple blocks it like they did with the pre. Pretty bad business practice imo.

4) Since the Google Maps navigation is in Beta, when it's official, is there word on it possibly having a cost?

VERY highly doubt it will ever be a paid subscription. Worst case imo will be similar to GPS units now where you get a small "ad" when idle for x amount of time. Not a big deal.

5) Can the Droid block specific numbers from calling/texting me?

Not positive. Pretty sure if it doesn't do natively the app devs have or will have something soon.

6) What are some "Must Have" apps?

Touchdown Email App
PicSay
Swiftreply
Pandora
Don’t forget the Milk
Amazon
Wertago
Barcode Scanner
Robo Defense
Google Earth
Google Sky
Twitdroid
Photoshop Android Version
Quickipedia
Contact Owner
Edograb
Zagat
Forecast Weather Widget
Bump
Docs to Go (viewer is free)

just to list a couple

7) Does android have any "How To" videos that could help (kinda like the iPhone has for their OS releases)?

Not quite like the iphone, but lots of people make them, and the community is always a good place for answers.

 

[DaveTheRealtor]

Thanks! I did forget to mention that I have a MacBook... Not sure if it would make a difference for syncing.

 

[YoungChrisG]

As for the music Motorola has a media sync program you can download that (I think) will pretty seemlessly sync your iTunes music with your droid. It's called Motorola Media Link. I like it. Its a full back up/restore media manager. I don't use iTunes though. So I don't know about how well it does that. But the spec sheet at the download site says it's fully supported.

 

[Roy Aguilera]

Both Gmail accounts will be push, both will sync, you can media sync with Motorola media sync, Goole maps will not become paid, no way to block certain numbers as of now.

 

[tonyloke]

i downloaded DoubleTwist on both my Mac and my PC and it is a program that lets you sync your music pics and videos exactly the same as Itunes... it even looks just lke itunes

 

[DaveTheRealtor]

Both Gmail accounts will be push, both will sync, you can media sync with Motorola media sync, Goole maps will not become paid, no way to block certain numbers as of now.

Thanks!

i downloaded DoubleTwist on both my Mac and my PC and it is a program that lets you sync your music pics and videos exactly the same as Itunes... it even looks just lke itunes

This is great news, I downloaded DoubleTwist a few weeks ago, but never really played with it. I was going to switch to that anyway, just because Amazons prices on most songs are $0.30 cheaper than iTunes. I will indeed also check out Moto Media Sync.

I found a lot of Demo videos on YouTube. I learned that if you have more than one gmail account, you can pick what one it gets data from and this is fantastic because I have all my contacts and manage my calendar though my personal account and really only use my work account for email.

Thank you for all of your input! I can't wait to get this phone!

 

[hiway12]

I'm former iPhone zealot and switching to the Droid is the best phone move I've ever made. it does everything as well and some things better. I recommend:

KeePass
Pandora
Flixster

 

[kenc3dan]

One big gotcha, Android issues

No Bluetooth voice dialing on the Droid.
This seems fairly high up the priority list for Google, and hopefully Motorola and Verizon, since it makes the phone illegal to use in the car in many (most?) states.
Here's the Google list of Android issues
Issues - android - Project Hosting on Google Code
Check out the specific issue for the lack of voice dialing...
Issue 1412 - android - [VoiceDial] Bluetooth "voice dial" event doesn't launch Voice Dialer - Project Hosting on Google Code
The more stars it gets the better. Hope they fix this.

 

[Ripjames]

I have a couple questions about switching from an iPhone to a droid as well. Currently I only have Internet on my laptop when I'm somewhere with wifi. Not at home. Does verizon limit the size of apps you can download through the phones 3g connection. Also is there anyway I can listen to my iPod formatted audiobooks. Thanks in advance

 

[raremage]

I have a couple questions about switching from an iPhone to a droid as well. Currently I only have Internet on my laptop when I'm somewhere with wifi. Not at home. Does verizon limit the size of apps you can download through the phones 3g connection.

Different paradigm here - there is no desktop app you sync the device to for loading apps, you have to download them directly onto the droid. As such, no limitation. You do get a warning for excessively large loads (like a whole album from Amazon MP3, for example) but you can acknowledge and the download happens just fine.

Also is there anyway I can listen to my iPod formatted audiobooks. Thanks in advance

There are several apps that facilitate moving media content back and forth between devices, depending on your laptop OS - but DRM is sometimes an issue (movies, for example). If they are audiobooks from the iTunes store, not sure what the licensing is there - if they are properly formatted audiobooks that are DRM free then that should not be a problem.

 

[Ripjames]

Awsome. I'm sold than. I've loved my iPhone. But the droid is sounding more like it's for me.

 

[Jim_1234]

Audible books don't work on android yet.

 

[hanano17]

If you need to block phone #s, you can do it through verizon themselves. There's an online feature called spam controls and it lets you add numbers to block.

 

[AKSurprise]

On the Droid you cannot setup 3rd party accounts for Direct Push. Only Exchange, and Gmai accounts will do Direct Push. You can however download the Android Beta for "System Seven", and setup your 3rd party accounts for Direct Push through that program. It will display a notification with the # of new e-mails you have in the notification bar, and you can enter the mailbox directly through the notifications screen. When a e-mail comes into one of the accounts you setup in"System Seven" a blue led will come on to notify you, instead of the normal blinking green led. I really cannot say enough good things about this program..

My must have apps so far:

Flexillis - Anti-Virus (Free)

System Seven - Beta (Free)

Photoshop.com Mobile (Free)

Pixelpipe Lite (Free)

Tunewiki (Free)

Bump (Free)

Twidroid (Free)

vizBattery (Free)

DockRunner (Free)

Androrb - v0.3a (Free)

Act 1 Video Player (Paid vers.)

Barcode Scanner (Free)

Fast Bright (Free)

Pandora (Free)

Here are a few more recommended apps: http:// Google Maps - 20 Android Apps: Our Favorites - Tom's Guide

 

[nator76]

Davetherealtor, if you can keep us updated on how its going.

I have an iphone3g and switched from verizon to get it. I like it very much. Wow do i miss Verizon service. The exchange email works unbelievable with the iphone and our company email. I also use it for an ipod when im working out. Other than that i use about .000025% of the 100,000 plus apps available. Thats not longer a selling point to me.

I hate having to open an app, close, open, close, ect ect. I had to jailbreak it to get multitasking, and that doesnt work all the time. So i have a few question

- How instant is exchange email received? anyone have lag issues??

- can you search groups on your exchange server for emails?

- has the music app been good enough for anyone that had an ipod or iphone?

- With bluetooth on, wifi on, and brightness set to about 35-40 percent, can you atleast make it through the day?

Thanks guys

 

[DaveTheRealtor]

Well Nator...

For me, today is D(roid)-Day... I am going to head to the Verizon Store to play with both the Droid and the Eris one last time then call to order it (Why am I not just buying it in the store? Well, I called to have my credit run the other day and the guy I spoke to offered instant rebates, unless they can do that for me in the store I'll have it shipped. I don't mind. Apparently Best Buy has instant rebates also, so I'll have to check them out too.)

I am in the same boat as you with the Apps... I only regularly use the iPod, Facebook, BeeJive, MLB (during the season), Shazam, Navigon and ESPN Score Center.

I am a little gun shy, because I am a bit taken by the heft that comes with the Droid. It's about the same size as the iPhone, however, its much heavier. The Eris is closer in weight, but I lose the physical keyboard and it doesn't have 2.0 which since I have multiple GMail accounts is an issue. I know the Eris is going to get 2.0, and the Sense UI can apparently be ported, so as far as Software is concerned I am leaning toward the Droid.

Since you asked for an update I will check back in later today, probably around 1 (eastern).


UPDATE: I ended up going with the Eris. Not because of the price but 1) Because of the heft of the Droid and 2) After talking to several different Verizon employees including my sales person Brian, over the phone told me that Eris WILL be getting 2.0 in January and to me 2.0+SenseUI would be one freakin' sweet phone. As a former long time AT&T employee I am a fantastic judge of sales people and the guy I talked to was a REALLY nice guy and if anyone is interested in switching I will give you his contact information. I did end up getting it over the phone because Brian offered an INSTANT rebate and sold me the Eris with 2-years for $99 upfront and free shipping. I don't mind waiting the extra day or so since I have already waited this long. (He did offer the Droid at $199 w/ instant rebate also.)

I am super pumped for this phone and can't wait to get my kitten mittens all over it!