Nokia Experts seeking advice on Google Android

[Christozoid]

From Palm Pre to Droid

My greatest needs are an Task-Outlining app (like Bonsai), and the ability to sync with my desktop. Because of this, I have to give up my Palm Pre. Does any one knows which Android set offers these solutions.

 

[soccernamlak]

"Do you all really think having all these different UI's from the different manufacturers is a good idea?"

I think in some cases (WinMo), yes. In others (everyone else), no.

 

[Centro85#AC]

I actually have a question for you Android fellas that might help Matt with his review. My WebOS Palm is pretty good at handling sound output. In other words, if I turn on Navigation, and Pandora, the phone will play the music, pause and speak the directions, and replay the music seamlessly. If a phone call comes in, it pauses all, and resumes all as soon as the call is ended, seamlessly. Nothing is necessary from the user, other than starting the apps and answering the call.

I tried to set up my buddies Blackberry Tour to his truck for him before he left for Christmas vacation. His Blackberry would pause Pandora when Navigation gave directions or he got a phone call, but the phone would not resume the music unless he physically turned on the screen, and hit the play button manually EVERYTIME some other noise came out of the phone (navigation, ringtone, text message etc.). Made me appreciate how well WebOS handles sound output.

How does Android do? Does it seamlessly handle sound output by itself, doing a good job of organizing output by priority and replaying music seamlessly? Or does Android act more like Blackberry? Just curious, although it is a big deal to me now that I am used to the seamless and effortless nature of the new Palm.

TIA.

 

[blkman969]

If everyone was to step back and take a look at Google's big picture you would see it's all about YOU! Google has left everything up to the consume and carriers. No matter what carrier, type of phone, it's up to YOU. Android is open to all, android is available to all carriers, android is customizable to all, what else can you ask for. The bottom line is what bill do you want to pay every month, meaning the phone you select and carrier, or vice versa, the phone you want and pay whatever bill comes with it. You make the call!

 

[klebron23]

Another entry to try and win the droid!

 

[NPR_Aficionado]

On the devices I have tried, the HTC Sense UI was more compelling than the standard Android interface. There is now MotoBLUR, Samsung TouchWIZ, and HTC Sense. Will all of these interfaces create confusion for the Android platform and upgrades?

Yes, I think there will be many people who don't even know that they are using an Andrroid device. I currently see this on WM, people just say I have a HTC phone, & when asked about the OS or platform, they don't know. I think Android is going down the same rout, but with even more confusion (Verizon having exclusive "Droid" useage rights etc...) I can see this getting very confusing to tbhe average consumer sooner than later. When using my TP2 recently I had someone ask if it was one of those Droid phones. After saying no, and asking some questions, it became clear the questioner thought Droid was it's very own platform & that it was on all carriers. He knew nothing about google being involved or any further information.

 

[onlineaddy]

another...

 

[AndrewWestSide]

Hope I win the Droid!

 

[simp_10]

I want to win!

 

[ripcity00]

If everyone was to step back and take a look at Google's big picture you would see it's all about YOU! Google has left everything up to the consume and carriers. No matter what carrier, type of phone, it's up to YOU. Android is open to all, android is available to all carriers, android is customizable to all, what else can you ask for. The bottom line is what bill do you want to pay every month, meaning the phone you select and carrier, or vice versa, the phone you want and pay whatever bill comes with it. You make the call!

While there are some drawbacks that have been discussed on the thread here, my main attraction is exactly what you say...more freedom and choice!

 

[Sayo]

On the devices I have tried, the HTC Sense UI was more compelling than the standard Android interface. There is now MotoBLUR, Samsung TouchWIZ, and HTC Sense. Will all of these interfaces create confusion for the Android platform and upgrades?

Exactly what I've been seeing, in my experiences. Android users seemingly don't have the obvious, simple path to updates that iPhone or WebOS users enjoy. While the potential exists, it seems Google has taken more than one page from Microsoft's book and allowed their partners to release updates on their own accord so as to assure support for their specific hardware and implementation. It's almost inherent in the multi-device, multi-UI strategy though, so it's not exactly unexpected... but let's hope Google's more successful than Microsoft has been at convincing their partners it's in their best interest to remain reasonably up-to-date.

 

[Trooch]

The Android operating system is built on the grounds that it is an open sourced OS, so I'm glad to see Carriers investing the time and money to develop what they think are the best UI's for the platform. Thats one of the things early on that clued me in to the fact that Android is here to stay.

Having said that, I am an extremely new Android user, having just purchased the Moto Droid. I love the fact that Moto didn't try to put MotoBLUR on the Droid. I wanted my first Android experience to be the real OS, not a UI. And of course, I'm glad that I dont have to wait for carriers to upgrade their UI to get the latest version of Android. Although I'm sure those who use a carriers UI Android don't have much to worry about, as Android popularity is growing everyday and these carriers will respond in kind with updates to their UI.

 

[klebron23]

Another entry to try and win a Droid!

 

[onlineaddy]

posting again

 

[ripcity00]

The Android operating system is built on the grounds that it is an open sourced OS, so I'm glad to see Carriers investing the time and money to develop what they think are the best UI's for the platform. Thats one of the things early on that clued me in to the fact that Android is here to stay.

Having said that, I am an extremely new Android user, having just purchased the Moto Droid. I love the fact that Moto didn't try to put MotoBLUR on the Droid. I wanted my first Android experience to be the real OS, not a UI. And of course, I'm glad that I dont have to wait for carriers to upgrade their UI to get the latest version of Android. Although I'm sure those who use a carriers UI Android don't have much to worry about, as Android popularity is growing everyday and these carriers will respond in kind with updates to their UI.

I wonder what Google is doing differently than Microsoft to make it easier/faster for vendors to update their overlays when Google does an OS version update? Are there better standards, practices etc that make it easier and quicker to make version updates?

 

[AndrewWestSide]

another post! Happy Holidays!

 

[Centro85#AC]

Any input on how Android handles multiple apps/sound output at once (ie. navigation AND music running at once)? Does it pause the music, play the directions, than replay music like webos, or does it just stop music and run nav only like a blackberry?

 

[Schoch]

Any input on how Android handles multiple apps/sound output at once (ie. navigation AND music running at once)? Does it pause the music, play the directions, than replay music like webos, or does it just stop music and run nav only like a blackberry?

with my Eris i can have music running and several apps open and switch between them without the music stopping ... love the headphone jack also

 

[Sayo]

I wonder what Google is doing differently than Microsoft to make it easier/faster for vendors to update their overlays when Google does an OS version update? Are there better standards, practices etc that make it easier and quicker to make version updates?

I'm curious about this as well. I would assume explicit incentives have been put in place by Google, but beyond that I haven't seen anything specific. I'm going to have to say it's wrong to assume carriers will just naturally want to expend additional resources to test and apply non-essential software updates rather than exert minimal effort needed in order to keep their environment stable. Likewise, manufacturers who create custom UIs have already sold the unit. The question one has to ask himself is.. for whom is this profitable?

 

[phoenixstorm]

Unfortunately, with all the great things that Android offers, those of us with our HTC Magic, Dream or LG Eve with Rogers Wireless are stuck with 1.5.
There are no plans for 1.6. Or anything else at this time. Maybe if enough people complain, we will get at least one update. Rogers should give us 2.0 and Sense for the Magic. Until then, us Canadians with Rogers are stuck with an almost obsolete OS version.
Unless we hack our phones and put on a custom ROM. I know most seroius Android owners do this anyways, but for those less tech savvy and regular people, well, they need official updates that won't make them lose their warranty. I love Android. But hate that my phone has so much potential, but Rogers won't let me access it.