iPhone Rene Goes Android -- Round Robin Help!

[KU Kitch]

I'm in a similar position as I'm considering switching to Android from the iPhone, though I'm only looking at the Nexus One at this point. I'm a little worried about moving to another platform and then being stuck wishing I could go back to the iPhone. I don't know how I could want that though, as I feel that it's grown somewhat stale to this point and I'm ready for something different after 2.5 years. I generally switch phones every year, and while I've had every variation of the iPhone, I don't consider that a true switch... maybe any platform would get old after that long a period, but it just seems that the UI hasn't changed in any sort of great way and I'm just ready to move on perhaps to something new. I'm anxious to see the reviews of the Nexus One and see if it's even worth switching to, or if I should wait for the HD2 to come out, though there I'm worried about WM and that's another story.

 

[cafe_civet]

I'm curious. What does one gain with Android's google integration?

 

[6tr6tr]

1)
it depends. Do you mean to purchase or to develop for? Purchase i'd say droid. Develop doesn't matter.

2)
not anymore than developing a website that works on Ie678 and firefox 3,3.5 and safari. Which means it's a bit of a headache until libraries start coming out.


4)
the ability to put any program you write on your own device! Don't underestimate this.

5)
get songbird. It's better than itunes anyways.

 

[Pimp Lucious]

If T-Mobile had 3G in this are I would certainly drop my Hero for a Nexus One.

 

[ripcity00]

With Apple's summer release cycle months away, I wonder what they will announce in the next few months to trump the competition? Between the pending Google phone, Palm at CES and others there is a lot going on for those that are looking for a change from the iphone.

 

[jankyhanky#WP]

1) I have the VZW Droid Eris, a minor upgrade to the Sprint Hero but with less battery. I can say it does live up to all the hype. Android works amazingly, one-upping the iPhone in every way (except App catalog size). Push Gmail and built in cloud-syncing, customization, widgets, SenseUI for some,... need I go on?

2) Users can always root if they care. Business users who aren't concerned with the latest and greatest features need not update. Such complications can also be avoided by buying unlocked or choosing other carriers. This is an inconvenience, but there are plenty of solutions.

3) Syncing with Gmail is not required. The Android allows desktop sync by third-parties (or natively with HTC) and even can separate Phone-stored contacts and Google-cloud contacts. The same is true of calendar, etc. There is a separate included mail client, and third-party solutions, for pop/imap.

4) Saving $$$. Google voice allows free texting and potentially free calls. Android's GV app streamlines the process so you don't even have to think about it. Send texts using your GV number and recieve calls only with that number. If you have some type of My-Circle/F&F/A-List feature, plug your GV number into it, and you get unlimited calls. That'll save you on minutes AND the $20 buck for texts.

5) Sync your android like any portable media.

6) Confirmed by T-Mo I believe.

7) Get the Eris. It's all happy and fun.

 

[onlineaddy]

entering again

 

[rodhnc]

shameless contest entry

 

[AndrewWestSide]

Another entry!

 

[klebron23]

Another entry!

 

[ripcity00]

Not much going on today. So what phone(s) did you decide, Rene, and what are your impressions so far?

 

[cafe_civet]

Can anyone tell me much about Android shortcuts, especially compared to Blackberry? I haven't been able to find much.

 

[Flyguide83]

if you go into your settings, you will find a list of preset shortcuts... you can modify them or add to them.most are activated via hard keyboard on the droid though.

 

[6tr6tr]

I'm in a similar position as I'm considering switching to Android from the iPhone, though I'm only looking at the Nexus One at this point. I'm a little worried about moving to another platform and then being stuck wishing I could go back to the iPhone. I don't know how I could want that though, as I feel that it's grown somewhat stale to this point and I'm ready for something different after 2.5 years. I generally switch phones every year, and while I've had every variation of the iPhone, I don't consider that a true switch... maybe any platform would get old after that long a period, but it just seems that the UI hasn't changed in any sort of great way and I'm just ready to move on perhaps to something new. I'm anxious to see the reviews of the Nexus One and see if it's even worth switching to, or if I should wait for the HD2 to come out, though there I'm worried about WM and that's another story.

My hope is that the Nexus One is truly able to work on any carrier. Imagine - you could get this phone, have it on one carrier and then the other carrier suddenly offers a better deal or you move to an area where another carrier offers better service and you change but keep your phone!

 

[onlineaddy]

another try

 

[AZbear]

I agree that it would be nice of the nexus one worked on any carrier. Maybe in a few years when they are all on LTE but not yet.

 

[Rene Ritchie]

What's strange is that the Droid seems tailor made for me in some ways: I love star wars, Google, and it looks like the same guy designed it who put together the Millennium Falcon. But I can't get past that keyboard. It's just so not what a physical keyboard should be. The onscreen keyboard is better.

The Hero is really interesting with Sense UI, however, and I like what HTC is doing.

But here's the thing, what does that mean for Android as a brand?

Do I buy a Google Android (which one? do I know the CLIQ is an Android?). Do I buy an HTC with Sense UI (hey, some of those runs Windows!). Do I buy a Verizon smartphone (some are Android, some BlackBerry, some, who knows?)

Is this a problem for building Android and its community?

iPhone is iPhone is iPhone. It's boring, but it's branding gold. Even BlackBerry with its different form factors keeps the BlackBerry front and center.

Any way for Google to make sure Android is the brand?

(Oh yeah, Hi Nexus One!)

 

[pbrennan42]

I am of the opinion that the only problem Android has is Branding - Both the phone manufacturers, the service Providers, and Google themselves are gonna have to start singing the Android's praises from the rooftops a bit more than they have done so thus far.

A concerted effort from all phone manufacturers and vendors to get everything up to at least 2.0 specifications is a must if Android is going to be seen as a serious contender for the iPhone/Blackberry crown. I am not just talking about the new phone releases here: I am also talking about firmware upgrades for all older models that can handle 2.0 or above, like the HTC Hero and the T-Mobile Pulse (just pulling two phones out of thin air here).

All new phones from the older range are to ship out with Android 2.0+ from the start of February, with current customers being offered firmware upgrades via email / SMS with download links and actual instructions.

It is time those companies supporting Android got serious. It will cost a bit of money to do the above, but it will keep the current customer base happy and make the Android phones more attractive to prospective customers.

Just my 2 pennies worth...

Phil.

 

[gryn]

If only there was a way to ask for a Hero/Moment without sounding like a beggar...

I really want to switch to an Android device but with Palm announcing "something special" at CES, along with newer androids for Sprint, I'm torn >_<

 

[jankyhanky#WP]

Android needs to hide its Java objects a little better.
Too many processes look like com.somthing.something.