Mobile Phones

@Multi_Grooves, without looking back at your post, I think you said you had the Sony-Ericsson Xperia, which runs Windows Mobile 6. Regarding calendars, WM6 probably has more 1st, 2nd and 3rd party apps per type, of all OS's on mobile phones. So you should be able to download different calendars and run them simultaneously.

Does it work with a Mac? I doubt it.

Regarding Android phones - the G1 (T-mobile) has a handy slide-out keyboard, but the most puny and restrictive onboard user memory of any modern multi-use phone. An unbelievable 256k. Thats right, 1/4 of a megabyte! Whereas many phones have gigabytes(!!!) of onboard user memory. The G2 is better, but doesn't have a slide out keyboard, and runs a screen virtual-keyboard, a la iPhone.

The HTC Hero is the same phone as the G2 (T-Mobile).

As far as I know, the Android OS will not easily "talk" to a Mac. Another difference between the G1 and G2, is that the G2 can "tether" and become the modem for a PC/laptop. The G1 can't as standard, but there is an unapproved app that can get this done. Its a bit fiddly though.

I like Android phones. They show a lot of promise. The amount of free useful apps, and playful apps is enough reason to get it. What I don't like, is the tie-in to all things Google, but the iPhone does the same with Apple, and much more expensively.

You're right on the tethering bit (but as you say you can do it - although I've still not managed to tether with Linux) but wrong on whether Android will 'talk' to a Mac (I think).

If plugged in via USB it is recognised as an external device (just like a hard drive). You do have to select to mount it. I only do this to transfer files (pictures and music mainly). I stuck a file manager app on the phone so I could organise things better (Astro). Unlike the iphone you just put in a Micro SD card to handle the memory issue.

Multigrooves asked about contacts, calendars & e-mail etc. As someone else noted if you use google already for these things it's a no-brainer as it auto synchs both ways over the air automatically. I use Sailing Media Synch to synch the phone with itunes.

Have to say I don't use iChat/iCal/Address Book as why would you if google handles all of this? OK you might lose some functionality but the benefits to me outweigh the negatives.

Not knocking what you are saying GA2G but I can't see how it doesn't talk to a mac?

The HTC Hero is the same phone as the G2 (T-Mobile).

Not true. Same chipset, but totally revamped user interface, better camera, added 3.5mm headset jack make it a signifcantly better phone.

I heard the battery life is really bad on those. I am getting frustrated at the shit N series Nokia keeps pushing and am looking to dump mine. For the time being I will o foe an E71 when its contract renewal time then I may succumb to the IPhone unless convinces otherwise and Hippy I don't get along with Samsung phones ;o))

the battery life on all of these devices (iPhone, N-series, anything running Android, Palm Pre, WinMo, any 3G BlackBerry) is shit. processing power tends to increase much faster than battery technology and all of those things need a meaty chipset to run. Donking a great big bright touchscreen into them also burns through the juice faster than hippy through belgian beers.

if you want battery life get a BlackBerry Curve 8900 - the thing lasts for days and does most of the stuff most people use them for.

if you want a really really powerful touchscreen smartphone then recharging every day is a fact of life (and therefore not much of a differentiating factor for one model over another).

Very true.

I use Locale to overcome the battery life problem somewhat.

http://www.twofortyfouram.com/

I also tend to carry a separate USB back up charger if I think i'll need it. I've got this one and would recommend.

http://www.proporta.com/F02/PPF02P05.php?t_id=4661&t_mode=des

I heard the battery life is really bad on those. I am getting frustrated at the shit N series Nokia keeps pushing and am looking to dump mine. For the time being I will o foe an E71 when its contract renewal time then I may succumb to the IPhone unless convinces otherwise and Hippy I don't get along with Samsung phones ;o))

Don't think of it as a Samsung. I HATE Samsung phones.. but this is different, it's an Android phone. Much fun. Battery life on most smartphones is pretty poor. Depends how much you kill GPS, 3G, background sync, etc. There are ways to minimise power consumption.

Not true. Same chipset, but totally revamped user interface, better camera, added 3.5mm headset jack make it a signifcantly better phone.

wrong. it is the same phone, just a different name (t-mobile rebranded it). i've got one - the first phone i've ever bought (and contract), mainly cos you can run debian on it. i think it rocks! although the camera is a bit shit in low light - oh, and i'd recommend the modaco rom, too (check xda-developers for more info about that, or android.modaco.com)

I have had mobile phones for the last 15 years and am used to charging them every night, what I am not used to is a phone dropping dead at 22:00 hours even though you have turned blue tooth off, scan networks and whatever drains then battery and then it behaves like a fcuking Vista PC

^o2 sounds better with internet and picture messaging, but the choice was yours of course.

How comes noone told me about this for Nokia 5800? Hmph!

How comes noone told me about this for Nokia 5800? Hmph!

Everyone at the Greyhound knew about this the other week, you should really get out more often.

Oh shush you!

I am going to bed I have dream's to dream.......

[excised]

come back on october 16 to ask about the pre.

wrong. it is the same phone, just a different name (t-mobile rebranded it). i've got one - the first phone i've ever bought (and contract), mainly cos you can run debian on it. i think it rocks! although the camera is a bit shit in low light - oh, and i'd recommend the modaco rom, too (check xda-developers for more info about that, or android.modaco.com)

shit, i thought he was talking about the Magic (the Magic is branded the G2 or the MyTouch in the US - confusingly). i fucking hate it when operators rebrand handsets, it makes keeping track of them a fucking nightmare.

i've got a Palm Pre on my desk if anyone wants to know anything about it. not out in the UK until October 16, though.

Just tell me it's not as good as an Android phone and I'll be happy.

i think i prefer android. the Pre's webOS is shiny and cute but it somehow feels less powerful than Android, and let's face it, it's never going to attract the same level of third party developer support.

more play time needed to get used to the quirks.

That'll do for me :)

Just tested iplayer on mine. Sweetness.. can wander off to a "meeting" and then watch Mock the Week or something in the dunny.. :)

supposed to be getting my Htc Hero today. c'mon delivery man!

hero remains my preferred handset.

had a look at the new motorola blur, looks like a great phone, running android too.

Looks like Orange will be selling the IPhone 3GS soon.

I flashed my Samsung to II5 firmware last night and installed Lock2.0. Improved touchy touchy, improved battery life and maybe some other stuff that I don't know yet. Plus I now have that slide unlock thing like the iClone.

windows mobile fans, prepare to cream your pants: http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2009-10/06/htc-unveils-high-performance-hd2.aspx

i saw this one in person last week, and it's probably the sexiest piece of hardware i've seen. HTC has done a pretty good job of hiding windows mobile as well (it has the Sense UI from the Hero). the screen is maaaaaasssive, and it runs on a 1GHz Snapdragon chipset which means it's very fast. so if WinMo is your thing, and you're made of cash, have a look.

Dunno when it's actually out. I've got the list of specs and stuff so ask me if you want to know about it.

I tried to nab a T-Mobile iPhone today... All gone... Really suspicious over the phone too, they didn't like the fact I'd twigged they had some in... :[
Seems Orange and T-Mob will be doing them soon... Finally... :D