OT:Smart Phones

[dbdynsty25]

If they eventually do get 2.1, like I mentioned, I bet they strip out some of the features (especially things like live wallpapers that eat CPU power).

After seeing the live wallpapers on YouTube videos, etc... that's something I would probably disable anyway, just to conserve battery life and processing power. I wouldn't mind at all if they got rid of that for my HTC Hero, just give me some of the newer features and I'll be happy.

It's funny...my wife's Eris doesn't work 100% of the time when it comes to syncing her contacts and calendar. 2.0 on my Droid works perfectly all the time. There are still quite a few bugs in 1.5 and 1.6...so even if the Hero/Eris only goes up to 2.0, it's still significantly better overall.

And I've never used a Cliq...so I really can't say 34.

[jondiehl]

Yeah, my calendar syncs perfectly with google calendar, but my phone contacts don't (as designed).

I've downloaded apps to convert phone contacts to google contacts so that they'll also sync, but they don't (apparently those apps only work for 2.0 phones, another reason I'm looking forward to the update).

I've heard 2.0 allows you to sync phone contacts to google contacts anyway, so that would fix it right there for me.

[dbdynsty25]

Yeah, my calendar syncs perfectly with google calendar, but my phone contacts don't (as designed).

I've downloaded apps to convert phone contacts to google contacts so that they'll also sync, but they don't (apparently those apps only work for 2.0 phones, another reason I'm looking forward to the update).

I've heard 2.0 allows you to sync phone contacts to google contacts anyway, so that would fix it right there for me.

Well, with a google account, the contacts in google, sync with the contacts from the phone. Which is good...though it's not very reliable and it takes some wiggling to get it to work right "most" of the time. 2.0 works perfectly right out of the box. So like I said, as long as you get the bump to 2.0 at least...you'll be golden. I love how mine works...and I only "liked" how the wife's did.

[jondiehl]

That's good to hear, and I've heard that from other's too... another reason for my anticipation for the firmware update.

When I got the phone, Best Buy copied all of my contacts over from my previous phone as "phone contacts" but my Google contacts aren't as detailed or complete in alot of cases (especially with the facebook info on contact's profiles now, alot of the bday's, photo's, etc...).

I downloaded an app to convert my phone contacts to google contacts, which it did (they all show as google now) but it crashes if it tries to sync (which, apparently is a problem with that app and Android 1.5). For now, I just went back to the way it was until the 2.1 update.

[dbdynsty25]

I downloaded an app to convert my phone contacts to google contacts, which it did (they all show as google now) but it crashes if it tries to sync (which, apparently is a problem with that app and Android 1.5). For now, I just went back to the way it was until the 2.1 update.

On the wifes phone I just told her to make sure her contacts were complete in google and then it would sink when she entered her gmail info. It did...but the "all contacts" sh*t in google still screws with it occasionally. The fact that gmail saves every contact you write and email to is annoying...and we had one instance where we'd put a contact on her phone or in her google contacts and it would just keep deleting it. Turns out the email address for that contact was in her "all contacts" three times so it just assumed it was a duplicate and deletes it from the phone. So weird. It makes no sense whatsoever. We had to delete the contact in all instances and re-input it for it to actually stay on the phone. Stupid.

At least with 2.0 you can specify which contact list in Gmail you use. My Contacts for example instead of All Contacts. Makes it so much more reliable and it syncs flawlessly. So you have that to look forward to at least.

[Zlax45]

Do most modern blackberries have internet that I can hook up my laptop to when I am covering baseball games for my website. Many schools do not have WI-FI at their stadiums up here.

[wco81]

Maybe look into something like Mifi, Zlax.

There are suppose to be apps. for the old Windows Mobile, maybe Android and some others which let you take your mobile connection and use it as a Wifi router, without paying the tethering charges that cell phone carriers typically demand.


Speaking of Windows Mobile, the Windows Phone Series 7 (new branding name) was unveiled the other day. Generally positive responses, a new UI than anyone else (apparently a lot of animations in the home screen), tight integration with Facebook and other social networking, including XBL members.

Not clear on multi-tasking or what the 3rd-part apps. strategy will be (no specific timetable for SDK, not clear on whether an app. store would be the only way to install 3rd-party apps). No Flash support but Adobe is invited to support the platform.

Expected to roll out on all US carriers with a number of different phone manufacturers. Should appeal to people who want tighter Exchange/Outlook integration, people who want to edit Office docs, XBL people who need to know what their XBL Friends are doing at any given time, people who want nothing to do with anything Apple, etc.

It would seem WPS7 would be more immediately in conflict with Blackberry and Android than iPhone initially. If apps. become a big deal on WPS7 as they are on iPhone, then maybe competition for developer support will materialize.

Both Google and MS have to convince the same manufacturers to use their OS, with Google giving the OS away for free and expecting to see greater advertising revenues as more people use Android and Google services on Android.

The field is crowded so there should be some consolidation. Palm is probably on the endangered species list. The rest have too much cash flow to be eliminated any time soon.

People have more choices in this market than they ever had with PCs. They could change phones much more frequently than computers, to sample the whiz bang gadgetry.

[dbdynsty25]

Windows Phone 7 is legit. It's a Zune in a phone and the Zune is awesome. I've got high hopes. They are too far behind to overtake anyone really (except Palm of course), but another contender is always good.

[TheCentralScrutinizer]

The Windows 7 mockups I saw made me think that this could be the first thing since the iPhone that isn't trying to imitate the iPhone in some way or another.* I agree, it could be very legit.

* = Disclaimer: Personaly impression only, not meant to offend fans of [insert operating system here] (Everytime I see a new unveiling (the Nexus One was a great example) I think to myself "Cool, but it still feels like it's trying to play catchup with the iPhone.")

[Spooky]

Three tomatoes are walking down the street- a poppa tomato, a momma tomato, and a little baby tomato (Microsoft). Baby "Microsoft" tomato starts lagging behind. Poppa tomato gets angry, goes over to the baby tomato, and smooshes him... and says, "Catch up".

[dbdynsty25]

The Windows 7 mockups I saw made me think that this could be the first thing since the iPhone that isn't trying to imitate the iPhone in some way or another.* I agree, it could be very legit.

* = Disclaimer: Personaly impression only, not meant to offend fans of [insert operating system here] (Everytime I see a new unveiling (the Nexus One was a great example) I think to myself "Cool, but it still feels like it's trying to play catchup with the iPhone.")

Have you used an Android based phone? If so, you'd know they aren't playing catchup with the iphone operating system and functionality wise...only sales wise, which everyone is really.

[Spooky]

The Windows 7 mockups I saw made me think that this could be the first thing since the iPhone that isn't trying to imitate the iPhone in some way or another.* I agree, it could be very legit.

* = Disclaimer: Personaly impression only, not meant to offend fans of [insert operating system here] (Everytime I see a new unveiling (the Nexus One was a great example) I think to myself "Cool, but it still feels like it's trying to play catchup with the iPhone.")

Have you used an Android based phone? If so, you'd know they aren't playing catchup with the iphone operating system and functionality wise...only sales wise, which everyone is really.

As absolutely unbiased as I was trying to be, when I tried out a friends 'Droid' I just thought the interface was SO clunky and slow. Not to mention ugly. I really wanted to like it and be impressed.

[dbdynsty25]

As absolutely unbiased as I was trying to be, when I tried out a friends 'Droid' I just thought the interface was SO clunky and slow. Not to mention ugly. I really wanted to like it and be impressed.

You own an iPhone...it's impossible to be unbiased. LOL. I've owned both. The Android OS is significantly more functional. Being able to run multiple apps at the same time definitely does make it not quite as snappy as the iPhone...I'll give you that, but the 2.0.1 software update significantly sped it up. And remember, the iPhone is like 10 significant software releases in...Android is on #4 w/ the Nexus One.

Now, if you're talking about Hero/Eris/MyTouch Android phones, yes...they are slow. That is more hardware related compared to the Droid...which is faster (and the Nexus one and the new Verizon HTC Incredible and their Nexus One will be even faster).

Overall though...the iPhone has two advantages in my mind. The multimedia applications are better (movies, music, games via app store) and the fact that there are 8 million different accessories are a signficant advantage. From an OS standpoint...once all of the Android phones are on 2.0 or 2.1...it'll be no comparison. The problem for Android is that most people prefer the multimedia capabilities, so they don't give Android a fair shot and unless you've used one for a few weeks, you will never be able to fairly judge it.

I had an iPhone 3G for 9 months...I've had the droid for 3...the Droid is a better smartphone overall. That's as unbiased as it gets. I'm not anti Apple or anything...I've got a freakin' MacBook and I think it's the greatest laptop ever made. I just love technology.

[Spooky]

As absolutely unbiased as I was trying to be, when I tried out a friends 'Droid' I just thought the interface was SO clunky and slow. Not to mention ugly. I really wanted to like it and be impressed.

You own an iPhone...it's impossible to be unbiased. LOL. I've owned both. The Android OS is significantly more functional. Being able to run multiple apps at the same time definitely does make it not quite as snappy as the iPhone...I'll give you that, but the 2.0.1 software update significantly sped it up. And remember, the iPhone is like 10 significant software releases in...Android is on #4 w/ the Nexus One.

Now, if you're talking about Hero/Eris/MyTouch Android phones, yes...they are slow. That is more hardware related compared to the Droid...which is faster (and the Nexus one and the new Verizon HTC Incredible and their Nexus One will be even faster).

Overall though...the iPhone has two advantages in my mind. The multimedia applications are better (movies, music, games via app store) and the fact that there are 8 million different accessories are a signficant advantage. From an OS standpoint...once all of the Android phones are on 2.0 or 2.1...it'll be no comparison. The problem for Android is that most people prefer the multimedia capabilities, so they don't give Android a fair shot and unless you've used one for a few weeks, you will never be able to fairly judge it.

I had an iPhone 3G for 9 months...I've had the droid for 3...the Droid is a better smartphone overall. That's as unbiased as it gets. I'm not anti Apple or anything...I've got a freakin' MacBook and I think it's the greatest laptop ever made. I just love technology.

True about it being impossible to not be a little biased. I just was surprised at how 'ugly' (for lack of a better term) the interface was. Plus I could not stand the keyboard. Spec wise the Droid is more advanced than the iPhone and I am a gadget guy as well so I am always excited to see something new and cool come out. But I just was not impressed in my limited time. That Windows Phone 7 stuff is much more like what I'd expect to se from the competition!

[dbdynsty25]

As absolutely unbiased as I was trying to be, when I tried out a friends 'Droid' I just thought the interface was SO clunky and slow. Not to mention ugly. I really wanted to like it and be impressed.

You own an iPhone...it's impossible to be unbiased. LOL. I've owned both. The Android OS is significantly more functional. Being able to run multiple apps at the same time definitely does make it not quite as snappy as the iPhone...I'll give you that, but the 2.0.1 software update significantly sped it up. And remember, the iPhone is like 10 significant software releases in...Android is on #4 w/ the Nexus One.

Now, if you're talking about Hero/Eris/MyTouch Android phones, yes...they are slow. That is more hardware related compared to the Droid...which is faster (and the Nexus one and the new Verizon HTC Incredible and their Nexus One will be even faster).

Overall though...the iPhone has two advantages in my mind. The multimedia applications are better (movies, music, games via app store) and the fact that there are 8 million different accessories are a signficant advantage. From an OS standpoint...once all of the Android phones are on 2.0 or 2.1...it'll be no comparison. The problem for Android is that most people prefer the multimedia capabilities, so they don't give Android a fair shot and unless you've used one for a few weeks, you will never be able to fairly judge it.

I had an iPhone 3G for 9 months...I've had the droid for 3...the Droid is a better smartphone overall. That's as unbiased as it gets. I'm not anti Apple or anything...I've got a freakin' MacBook and I think it's the greatest laptop ever made. I just love technology.

True about it being impossible to not be a little biased. I just was surprised at how 'ugly' (for lack of a better term) the interface was. Plus I could not stand the keyboard. Spec wise the Droid is more advanced than the iPhone and I am a gadget guy as well so I am always excited to see something new and cool come out. But I just was not impressed in my limited time. That Windows Phone 7 stuff is much more like what I'd expect to se from the competition!

But then again, your buddy might be one of the guys that just leaves his stuff "as is". Remember, the Motorola Droid on Verizon isn't modified at all. A lot of the other manufacturers are using skins over the Operating System making it a lot more "iPhone user friendly" where the Droid itself is just Android in it's basic form. Go look at an HTC phone, Samsung with their Cube interface or a Motorola with their Blur interface...they smooth out the "rough" edges as you'd call them. That's the beauty...you can have exactly what you want...you're not tied to the iPhone and their "you better like it" because there isn't an alternative interface.

I personally prefer the basic look with my own modification rather than what HTC thinks is cool looking. There are a lot of different interfaces on top of Android OS...you just gotta find one you like. And there are about 8 thousand different keyboards...along with Swype. Look that up when you get a chance. Swype is the next generation of keyboards. F typing, just slider you finger to the letters you want. It's brilliant. Can't get that on your trusty iPhone.

I hate it when people crush Android without knowing anything about it. I'm not saying that about you, but they don't even give it a chance or look into it. There is a TON to know. The stuff I've mentioned is just the tip. Hehe...just the tip.

[Diablo25]

Windows Phone 7 is legit. It's a Zune in a phone and the Zune is awesome. I've got high hopes. They are too far behind to overtake anyone really (except Palm of course), but another contender is always good.

It does look pretty damn sweet. The coolness kinda caught off guard actually.

[XXXIV]

There is a TON to know. The stuff I've mentioned is just the tip. Hehe...just the tip.

Yep..Get something new out of it all the time but ofcourse I am a bit tech slow.

The first week or so after getting my Motorola Cliq w Motoblur I was confused. Wtf is all this????......Now after we fast forward two months you would have to pry it out of my cold dead hand...It doesnt look much like it did when I got. Customization is a nice thing...

http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/US-EN ... -US-EN.alt

New concern is that the 2.1 update is supposedly coming for it in march. I hope the thing can handle it and that it doesnt mess up what I have working so well for me now...

[TheCentralScrutinizer]

The Windows 7 mockups I saw made me think that this could be the first thing since the iPhone that isn't trying to imitate the iPhone in some way or another.* I agree, it could be very legit.

* = Disclaimer: Personaly impression only, not meant to offend fans of [insert operating system here] (Everytime I see a new unveiling (the Nexus One was a great example) I think to myself "Cool, but it still feels like it's trying to play catchup with the iPhone.")

Have you used an Android based phone? If so, you'd know they aren't playing catchup with the iphone operating system and functionality wise...only sales wise, which everyone is really.

I have used a few Android phones (mostly the MyTouch) but do not own one. And I don't pretend to know anywhere near everything you could do with an Android phone. I am a big believer in Android though; I have actually been telling Spooky for months that Android will one day surpass the iPhone in terms of quality apps...by a lot probably.

I based my opinion on research from sites such as Engadgetmobile - which I read a lot. I have unfortunately been stuck with a Windows Mobile 6 phone far longer than anyone should be shackled with such "technology"...I'm just waiting for my wife to be out of her contract so I can either get two Android phones or two iPhones. I just can't make up my mind which!

What I meant about about other sets playing catch-up to the iPhone is not in terms of functionality. I definitely agree that Android is superior in a lot of ways, especially for the power user. I think what more impresses me about the iPhone (and the same probably goes for Engadgetmobile editors b/c they get such little time to play with phones before writing about them) is the instant wow factor of the iPhone. The Android phones (especially the ones on cupcake, as you discuss) can do so much more and be so much more customizable. I'm honestly just not sure which I'm looking for - something that does a lot of really cool things out of the box or something that I can completely customize and spend time tinkering with to create a truly amazing smartphone. Again, this is all just my own impressions.

I'm have totally conflicted feelings about it, and that was BEFORE Mobile 7 reared its head! And I only have a few more months to decide!

[dbdynsty25]

Here's another interface overlay called TATHome. Check this out...this is some of the crazy stuff you can do w/ Android.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOGmnnGp ... r_embedded#

And the Swype keyboard I mentioned before...running on an older OS, but you get the point. It's badass on the Droid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLwxIwMFzR4

[jondiehl]

I'm the biggest Zune fan I know, I have 4 of them, but I'll keep my Android for sure.

Now that I've switched everything over to Google (mainly, my calendar and full contact management), I love not having to "sync" to my PC or laptop anymore. I can be at work, or anyone's computer for that matter, and enter stuff into my calendar via the Google Calendar website. Share calendars with co-workers very easily, add in sports calendars. It's very clean and easy, goodbye MS Outlook forever!

I recently "rooted" my Sprint HTC Hero, unlocking it's full potential, and loaded a custom ROM which allowed me to delete alot of the bloatware (Sprint NAV, Sprint NFL mobile, Footprints, Sprint Nascar, Sprint TV, etc...) and it sped things up a lot. It also gives me the ability to tether my phone to my laptop for websurfing, something I've missed coming from my old Win Mobile 6.1 phone.

In the end, it's all about apps, especially free ones. Unless Microsoft can get alot of the applications that iPhone and Android now share, then they have zero chance at capturing market share.

[jondiehl]

Here's another interface overlay called TATHome. Check this out...this is some of the crazy stuff you can do w/ Android.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOGmnnGp ... r_embedded#

And the Swype keyboard I mentioned before...running on an older OS, but you get the point. It's badass on the Droid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLwxIwMFzR4

Wow, I'm liking that TATHome! I like how it can overlay on top of widgets. Very slick.

[dbdynsty25]

Now that I've switched everything over to Google (mainly, my calendar and full contact management), I love not having to "sync" to my PC or laptop anymore. I can be at work, or anyone's computer for that matter, and enter stuff into my calendar via the Google Calendar website. Share calendars with co-workers very easily, add in sports calendars. It's very clean and easy, goodbye MS Outlook forever!

Precisely. Android is phenomenal for anyone that uses Google for mail/contacts/calendars. It was acceptable for a Blackberry to sync, or the iPhone to pay the 100 bucks for mobile me...but everything on Google is just so seamless with Android, it's so silly to even think about any other system. I seriously doubt I'll use another phone OS.

[XXXIV]

I'm the biggest Zune fan I know, I have 4 of them, but I'll keep my Android for sure.

Yes on the Zune and yes on the Android.

Im the biggest Zune fan I know too but except for a few guys on this board I dont know any Zune fans or anyone who has heard of it

Android stays unless the W7 phone can service me.

[Badger_Fan]

After doing a bunch of research (and wanting to avoid the $200 for a Droid or N1), I picked up two Cliqs for my wife and I last weekend. I've had a lot of fun customizing it to what I want and am eagerly awaiting the upgrade to 2.1 in Q2.

Overall, because I'm not a total power-user, this phone has everything I wanted (physical keyboard, integration with gmail, etc.) and has been a joy to mess around with.

[jLp vAkEr0]

I'm still waiting for Tmobile to offer me a more powerful Android phone to replace my MyTouch.

Don't think the Cliq would be that different in terms of performance and I they're not offering the Nexus One in Puerto Rico yet.

Verizon left the PRico market some years ago so I can't get a Droid either.

I love the Android OS and I have no problem carrying around an Ipod Touch for my on the go multimedia needs.