What would you do? Please I really need help.

[nanllyn]

First let me say, I'm sorry but I just can't make up my mind on what to do. Please give me your opinion on what you would do in my shoes.
I have the Moto Droid. I love the phone but I'm having problems with it. People are complaining that there is such a shrill whistle like sound that they can't even talk to me. I don't hear it at all. I just did a exchange through my warranty but now people are complaining this new Droid is doing the same thing. I can't pinpoint why it is doing it as it is in my house but I'm not near any appliance and they aren't even on not even the tv when this happens so I think it is the phone. But what are the odds of two doing the same thing??!!
Then I was using the Droid as my mp3 player but hated that every time a reminder, email, text and of course phone calls come through it interrupts the song. Of course I want phone calls but wish I could shut off the others while listening to mp3's.
So I didn't like the Ipod Touch or Zune so I got an Archos 5 32GB with Android on it. Love the device but it has froze up on me a few times. Also it is about $450 with dock and 3 yr warranty. Works great as an mp3 player but expensive and being 5 inches not real pocketable.
So I think what about returning the Archos 5 (I only have like 3 more days to return it) and get the Droid X nice size screen but still pocketable and I can get it for $199. But then we go back to the interruptions while listening to mp3's and it is hard to use as gps and a mp3 player at the same time.
So I know don't always like to answer questions like this but I really need help deciding. I don't want to miss out on the Droid X if that is my best option nor do I want a $450 Archos that I might not use that often because isn't not really pocketable.
Please tell me what your opinion is. Do I keep the Archos 5 and my Droid? Do I return the Archos 5 and move to the Droid X? Or even move to the Droid X and look for another mp3 player?
Thanks,
Nancy

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

Return the Archos (if it's too big to pocket it's not a good mp3 player IMO). Wait for the Droid X to come out (preorder if you think you'll want it on launch day) and read all the reviews you can (including from people here on the forums) and see what they have to say. If it sounds like something you'll want, and you can deal with a touch screen keyboard, then go get the phone. If you absolutely cannot deal with the music being interrupted go get a cheap little mp3 player, since you said you don't like ipod or zune (i personally love my zuneHD). Sony might work for you, or a sansa.

And if you get a phone call won't you just pause the music anyway to answer it?

 

[nanllyn]

Phone calls I do want, it's all the other stuff that is constantly dinging or interupting the songs. Thanks for your help.
I really like a physical keyboard so I'm still on the fence but since the screen is bigger maybe the touch screen keyboard will be okay.

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

If you really like the physical keyboard wait for the Droid 2. The keyboard on the EVO is VERY usable (I say this for comparison because the screen size is the same), and you can get the Swype keyboard which is awesome once you get used to it. The multitouch keyboard on the Droid X is pretty good, too.

I haven't looked but maybe there's a widget for turning off notifications other than calls. I'm sure it would suck to have to go into settings for everything when you wanna listen to music to do it, but a widget would make it easy.

 

[nanllyn]

yea, I never thought about a widget. But you are right it was/is a pain to turn off each program's notification and then have to go back in and turn them on again each time.
I'm still doing research between Droid X, Droid 2 or the Incredible (not real sure about the last one!).
If I could get my Archos to connect with the Droid so I could use it as the gps screen, since its 5", and for internet then that would be cool but cant get them to connect.

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

All three are good phones. No release date for the droid 2, though, so who knows when that will be available. Between the Incredible and Droid X it's gonna be a matter of preference. Droid X will have better processor (mostly for 3D games) and bigger display. Incredible is fast, has a good display, and some people prefer the smaller size.

Purely from the spec sheet the Droid X is the better phone. We'll see for sure when it comes out and people have it in their hands.

 

[Zorro1]

If you like a keyboard, seriously: the Ally. Bought one for wife and near adult daughter, I have the Moto Droid, and I'd rather have their phone. It's that nice. Much more pocketable, rounded edges, just slightly smaller but you have to hold them side by side to notice. Five home screens, fantastic keyboard, can't say enough. Oh, and cheaper!

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

If you like a keyboard, seriously: the Ally. Bought one for wife and near adult daughter, I have the Moto Droid, and I'd rather have their phone. It's that nice. Much more pocketable, rounded edges, just slightly smaller but you have to hold them side by side to notice. Five home screens, fantastic keyboard, can't say enough. Oh, and cheaper!

The Ally might be good, but he's coming from a Droid and I'm sure he doesn't want anything less than what he has currently. Thinking mostly about the screen quality and speediness of the processor.

 

[takeshi]

Not sure what the deal is with the shrill sound but it's unlikely to be the device unless you were just unlucky with the replacement. You'll have to troubleshoot that on your own. Try calling voicemail to see if you can replicate the issue (leave a message for yourself and then listen). Then see what common variable there is if you can make calls with and without the shrill noise.

As for notifications, use a profiles app to disable notifications (you'd have to switch when listening to music and then again when done) or use airplane mode. There are definitely several different approaches you can take.