Thorin Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 What don't you like about them? I've always stuck with Nokia's, and had been tempted by the N85 or N86, but I've heard a lot of good things about Android phones and previously used the HTC G1 briefly. I'm quite tempted by the new Samsung i7500 Galaxy which is apparently due out here imminently. http://www.mobilestopic.com/reviews/samsung/i7500-galaxy.html Depends on how much I could get one for when it is available, but I'm interested in subjective real world views on the Android OS. Latest version is 1.5 with 2.0 out later this year I believe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Jeez, there's so much going on with phones now since i bought my last one nearly 18 months ago it's baffling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I've always been Captain Nokia - and last week, I ditched my N96 POS for a HTC Hero, running v1.5 on the 2.6.27 kernel. Initial impressions are good. Interface is slick, and relatively quick. It's a little better IMO than the iPhone 3G and the open-source nature of the O.S. means that the overall rate of software development is quick. I don't like how it defaults to installing most of the applications on the internal memory, which is quite low. You have to "root enable" the O.S. to reallocate things - easy enough if you know what you're doing. Bluetooth integration is very good for my BMW and Alpine setups, although filetransfer is a little odd, in that it's not directly supported, but it is allowable with a 3rd party application (yet to try that, though as I do everything through the datacable). The reception is ok, my N96 used to give me full 3G signal strength @ my desk, the HTC gives me around 90-95%, so not to dissimilar in terms of call performance, but it does seem to cope better going from 3G->2G and back again much better than the Nokia. The Camera, for a phone, is excellent, as is the video camera - but there again, I've only a Nokia to compare against - the iPhone isn't even worthy of comparison. Internal GPS seems to be good too, I've got CoPilot 8 installed and it's got no problem keeping up with my driving which isn't that slow (hehe). I'm still learning it, but I'm not disappointed and it's certainly better than the N96. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkdtime Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Thorin, I was a die hard Nokia fan, had the N95 and N95 8gb loved them both, I then bought an N96 and absolutely hated it, it was very buggy and the updates did not help much. I moved to Android and currently have the HTC Magic, I can honestly say that the UI is amazing, the only thing it lacks is Multi-Touch which it is capable of doing but due to an Apple patent Google decided to drop the Multi-Touch Feature. 2.0 is said to bring Multi-Touch and a host of other features, also consider Sony Ericsson Xperia X3 (1ghz, 8mp Camera, Androis OS 2.0) The Android OS is still in it's infancy but is capable of doing anything the iPhone can do and then some Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 I don't like how it defaults to installing most of the applications on the internal memory, which is quite low. You have to "root enable" the O.S. to reallocate things - easy enough if you know what you're doing. Thanks for that. I did read about the application installing and having to do this root enable thing to move them. The Samsung has 8GB internal memory I believe so it should be more than enough for me. Apart from that the Samsung and Hero seem pretty similar spec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 The Android OS is still in it's infancy but is capable of doing anything the iPhone can do and even more And a lot more besides - Google seem to listen to the people, and Apple ... well, don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkdtime Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Thanks for that. I did read about the application installing and having to do this root enable thing to move them. The Samsung has 8GB internal memory I believe so it should be more than enough for me. Apart from that the Samsung and Hero seem pretty similar spec. Around 15 plus Android phones are expected by the end of the year. I say wait for Android 2.0 before deciding on the hardware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Thanks for that. I did read about the application installing and having to do this root enable thing to move them. The Samsung has 8GB internal memory I believe so it should be more than enough for me. Apart from that the Samsung and Hero seem pretty similar spec. Yea, I've got a 16Gb SD Card in mine and root'd it. So I'm a happy bunny ... for now. Need a replacement for my iPhone 3G next, it might well be another 'droid phone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 2.0 is said to bring Multi-Touch and a host of other features, also consider Sony Ericsson Xperia X3 (1ghz, 8mp Camera, Androis OS 2.0) Yeah I did read about that a few weeks ago, sounds good, but not likely to be out until next year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northstretch Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I got a Sony Ericsson Xperia X1. Runs Windows Mobile 6 (WinCE). I can watch ripped DVD's on it as it has a high res wide screen. Runs most windows CE applications fine. I've been testing out a few freeware emulators for winCE on it. Got an N64 emulator, kinda strange seeing SuperMario64 and Goldeneye on your mobile phone.... Its great if you want to surf the net, run applications or remote desktop to servers etc... But as a phone....i miss having a Nokia. Simplicity rules. Although i am tempted by an Android based phone... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 N85 is superb, so much so that the N86 is pretty much the same phone with a better camera. I really like the Android OS though. Very user friendly, although i only had a play with a mates phone. The only thing i don't like about the phones mentioned is they are just getting too big for my liking. The N95 is the biggest phone i have had and it was a bit much, stepping down to the N85 was the perfect solution for me. A bit buggy , though nowhere near as bad as the 96. Any of your friends have the phones you are looking at? Perhaps do a little swap for a few days? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkdtime Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Yeah I did read about that a few weeks ago, sounds good, but not likely to be out until next year? Ah yes. my bad. I'd still say to wait for 2.0 before buying. HTC Hero is another good choice but it could really do with a faster processor and more RAM. The OS is great, just need to wait for slightly better hardware in terms of Processor speed and RAM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I'd still say to wait for 2.0 before buying. HTC Hero ... could really do with a faster processor and more RAM It's not too bad to use in all honesty - you have trade off CPU clock cycles against battery usage ideally - which isn't great. Speedstepping technology would be perfect. RAM wise, I was of the same opinion - but once you've stopped launching every program it has, you realise it's actually enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Ive just got a T Mobile G2 from a G1 which I loved. Its easy to use, quite fast, looks great, has a 5meg camera, operates smoothly and has the marketplace where you can get apps for free On the whole Im impressed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallshinyant Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I'm going to miss my N95 when it dies.. i run everything on it, it handles my google stuff, runs my sat nav, it turns into a wi-fi hotspot when we go camping, i even stream video straight onto the internet with it, camera is great.. im hoping all the G phones wil be able to do this by the time my N95 dies on me, but what are the cameras like on them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkdtime Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 It's not too bad to use in all honesty - you have trade off CPU clock cycles against battery usage ideally - which isn't great. Speedstepping technology would be perfect. RAM wise, I was of the same opinion - but once you've stopped launching every program it has, you realise it's actually enough. Mind you, there is an update coming for HTC Hero to illiminate the slight lagging which you may notice form time to time. Great piece of kit like you say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkdtime Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 im hoping all the G phones wil be able to do this by the time my N95 dies on me, but what are the cameras like on them? TBH the camera's are as good as the N95's Carls Zeis (Spell check lol), but there is an 8.0mp Sony Ericsson Andoid phone on it's way soon. Nokia tried but failed with its Touch screen smartphone attempt with the N97, great piece of kit, awful GUI. Ideal phone spec would be Nokia hardware, Android OS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 i8910HD FTW N95ish OS in sexy touch-screen clothing and HD video capture/display Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I'm going to miss my N95 when it dies.. I've kept mine because I've never ruled out going back to it, but it's also a very capable spare. i run everything on it, it handles my google stuff, runs my sat nav, it turns into a wi-fi hotspot when we go camping, i even stream video straight onto the internet with it, camera is great.. Google integration won't be a problem with Android lol. Sat Nav: CoPilot 8 is here and is good. TomTom is on the wayway Wifi: Tethering is already pre-enabled Streaming: Qik have a client out now, which I've tested and it works. Looks like you'll be a happy bunny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkdtime Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I've kept mine because I've never ruled out going back to it, but it's also a very capable spare. Google integration won't be a problem with Android lol. Sat Nav: CoPilot 8 is here and is good. TomTom is on the wayway Wifi: Tethering is already pre-enabled Streaming: Qik have a client out now, which I've tested and it works. Looks like you'll be a happy bunny Slighly off topic, but have you tried Transdroid? It's a gem of an app, the app connects to utorrent (And others) at home and I can then download torrents on the move and by the time im home it's already downloaded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Oooh. I always leave my torrents running at home anyways - I'm connected to home via VPN most of the day anyways and I just RDP in to what I need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkdtime Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Oooh. I always leave my torrents running at home anyways - I'm connected to home via VPN most of the day anyways and I just RDP in to what I need Fair do's I use a Virtual Machine for all my torrents downloads etc, then use the phone to quickly add/remove any torrents on the move:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I use a VM too lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkdtime Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I use a VM too lol llmao! Well mines faster! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesC Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Ive just got a T Mobile G2 from a G1 which I loved. Its easy to use, quite fast, looks great, has a 5meg camera, operates smoothly and has the marketplace where you can get apps for free On the whole Im impressed I've got the G1 at the minute which i love but has the G2 still got the qwerty keyboard? I dont think i could go back to touch screen txt messaging, takes far too long! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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