HTC Desire 18 months on...

Its been 18 months since I switched from the iphone 3G to the Android HTC Desire. I've some mixed feeling about the device, but ultimatley I wont be continuing with Android. While I think Google has given manufactures a solid operating system my biggest gripe is the manufacturers and telecom carriers havn't continued to upgrade them on older devices including the HTC Desire.

When I had the iphone I had about two upgrades; and from what I can gather the phone is still getting upgraded!

On a positive note, physically the phone has been solid. Its still operating even considering the phone has been dropped a few times.

Its also been good to see Google often upgrading their app store. But its not enough to hold me....

The end of print media

Image via Wikipedia

Following ausdroid.net I found this bit of information on the launch of Samsung galaxsy tab::

The Australian will be pre-installed on all devices. It's like bloatware, but relatively useful. The App will be free for two months, then a subscription will be needed to continue the service. Pricing of said subscription will set you back $8.99 a month, or $36.99 over a half yearly period. Get excited, news lovers!

That's a pretty cheap deal for you to receive the paper. You don't even have to walk out the door to get it. It makes me wonder with the continuing increased specs and decrease in prices of computer products when it will be cheaper for news papers just to give away these devices.
My pick five years...

Related articles

• 'Bloatware' Becoming a Problem On Android Phones (mobile.slashdot.org)
• Australian reveals Android based tablet app (mumbrella.com.au)

Apple and Torrents

Image via Wikipedia

Read this on Slashdot

Apple recently approved an iPhone app called IS Drive, which lets users check and manage downloads from ImageShack.us, while also offering users the option to use the company's BitTorrent service to download files to their ImageShack account. Once Apple got wind of what the app was capable of, however, it was promptly removed from iTunes."

Another reason for me not wanting to have anything to do with Apple and their products. For me I use torrents for legitimate reasons such as downloading Linux iso's. Another reason to choose Android.

Apple

Image via Wikipedia

The Age Green Guide had a great review on smart phones this Thursday (August 12th p22), by Adam Turner. He summed up beautifully why I don't want to go down the Apple route ::

Apple has a long history of treating iPhone application developers with disdain and iPhone owners with contempt. iPhone  applications mysteriously disappear from the online app store when they clash with Apple's business model or with those of Apple's business partners....
Apple head honcho Steve Jobs is famed for his arrogance when dealing with customer complaints. When details first emerged of the iPhone 4's reception issues Job's flippant response was "don't hold it that way". He eventually conceded the reception problem was a serious issue and Apple now offers a few case to iPhone 4 owners, which alleviates the problem.

And why I prefer Android::

Android's flexibility is its strength. Such flexibility lets phone makers build a variety of devices to meet different needs, while it also lets users run applications they want and customise the phone as they see fit. It's a stark contrast to Apple's one-size-fits approach. Now Android is reaching a critical mass, Apple's heavy-handed approach to dealing with developers and customers could work in Android's favour.

Desire

The mobile phone issues after weeks of reading lots of reviews has been solved. I've brought the HTC Desire from Telstra. Here's the options and dilemmas


Google's Nexus One.

PRO's :: Can be updated any time with googles android operating system, pretty good specs.

CON's :: Vodafone plan $79, way to much, coverage including national roaming dosn't work in Leongatha!


HTC Desire 

PRO's :: The twin of the Nexus one, nearly the same phone except for HTC gui, pretty good specs, $49 cap plan pretty good, supprisingly from Telstra, best coverage in the country.

CON's :: Uncertainty of updates to 2.2 android, with Telstra

Samsung Galaxy S

PRO's:: Available for $49 from Optus, Best Specification,

CON's :: Reviews are pretty bad for Samsung's gui on it, no flash,  uncertainty of updates to 2.2 android.

There where also a lot of phones running android 1.6! This is a major downfall great spec machines yet they are using software that is out of date! eg sony expira x10.

Vodafone and Nexus

My Choice of a android phone has just become more difficult. Vodafone has just announced Nexus One from July the 1st. Although I would want to have a look at their other plans $79 is a bit steep!
Still leaning towards the Galaxy S though on price only!

Galaxy S

The expiry of the old phone plan is rapidly approaching. Optus has just announced the Galaxy S samsung android phone. $59 on the 'Social plan'. (Thanks for android.net for that tip) Close to the budget. Plus very good value for money on specs compared to other comparable phones on the market.





Nice Spec's as well::

General 2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100
Status Coming Soon


Size Dimensions 122.4 x 64.2 x 9.9 mm
Weight 118


Screen Type Super AMOLED – Capacitive
Colours 16 Million
Size 4″ (480×800 pixels)


Other RAM – ROM N/A – 512MB
Camera 5MP – Flash – Video: 720p @ 30fps
Android Version 2.1 (Cupcake)
CPU Samsung Hummingbird @ 1GHz

Big bonuses: very snappy processor and the recent operating system.

Downfalls: Camerea could have been a bit bigger and front facing camera.

But these are things I could live with.

Android here we come

A month and a bit now and the iphone contract will have finished. As I've said before I've given up on Apple because of its tight closed way. Steve Jobs prancing cacheticly like god. While Android is an 'open' system which suits my philosopy a bit better.

Anyway the last month has seen a few Android phones on the Australian market. So far it looks like the HTC Legend, from Vodafone. Unlike most of the other Androids phones on the Australian Market it has one of the more up to date versions of Android. (Most of the others have a pretty modified GUI from there manufacturers). The other thing its under the $50 per month budget:)

Two more months and a new phone...

Two more months and we change over and get a new mobile phone. Christina looks like sticking to her iphone. But me I'm going android. I've had it with all Apples litigation over anything.
So what will I do with the old iphone. Look like I can put android on it!