Android-ers Come Forward! [Archive] - Thoughts Media Forums

Jon Westfall

04-09-2010, 01:30 PM

If you promise not to tell anyone, I'll tell you a secret: I use an Android phone. If you're wondering why this is a secret, perhaps if I expand it out, you'll see why: I am a Windows Mobile MVP, who used the platform exclusively for 7 years. I have written for a website focusing on Windows Mobile devices for over 5 years, and I own multiple Windows Mobile Devices. Yet still, I use a Nexus One as my daily driver. See, that's why it's a bit of a secret. And I'm sure you're wondering why I'm telling you this.<img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/wpt/auto/1269660252.usr7.jpg" style="border: 0px solid #d2d2bb;" />Well, I'm not telling you this as a prelude to a "I'm leaving the site" post or a "I've used Android but it sucks compared to WinMo" fanboy post. I use an Android phone because the platform excites me, the same way that Windows Mobile and Windows Phone still excite me, and I believe that by using each platform I can write more informed posts on each side and contribute to both platforms (I also own an iPod Touch, for the same reason). In other words, Win Mo didn't "lose" me, we're just not "exclusive" anymore.And I'm wondering how many other Thoughts readers may be seeing Android devices on the side (or full time)! If you've gone to the Android side, what do you like or dislike? What do you miss about Windows Mobile? And does Windows Phone 7 tempt you back (as it does me)? Don't be afraid to admit it, android-ers, stand up and be counted!

Fritzly

04-09-2010, 01:49 PM

Personally I followed another route:
I tried Android and overall I like it, there is a lot of potential but at the end I went back to my HD2 with WM 6.5 and XDA; right now this is still my winning combination.

WP7: I think I like the GUI a lot but nothing else is interesting or exciting for me; actually I see it as a big step backwards. I do not bite the excuse about being a new platform; WIN95 was a new platform compared to WIN3.xxxx still they added features and functionalities and not the other way around.

So when my HD2 will be replaced by the end of the year I will go to Android; once there I will monitor the situation to see what WP7.xx or WP8 will offer and compare it to where Android will be at the same time.

As for the iPhone... it is as bad as WP7 but with, on top, Steve Jobs with his "High Priest" attitude that I cannot stand.

ntractv

04-09-2010, 02:17 PM

I'm using the Motorola Droid thru Verizon and love it. It's more user friendly for me, the app store is amazing but more important web browsing is much faster than any thing else I've tried

David Tucker

04-09-2010, 02:24 PM

I was a Pocket PC user since back in 2001 with the Jornada 565. I loved the platform. Back in 2001, Pocket PC was exciting because of everything it was capable of. For 7 years I used a variety of different PPC devices.

But I abandoned it 18 months ago for the G1 and I haven't looked back. Pocket PC or whatever they wanted to call it at any given time got stale. The only reason Windows Phone 7 even remotely piqued my interest is because it will integrate the Zune experience.

Android is powerful and flexible. To me its what Pocket PCs used to represent in the category. WP7 will be another locked down platform like the iPhone and holds no interest for me. A few weeks ago I moved to the CLIQ XT and I really don't see myself moving off the Android platform any time in the near future. Its as exciting to me as Pocket PC used to be.

allenfdavis

04-09-2010, 02:36 PM

I too have been a recent convert. I have been using windows mobile for almost exclusively for nearly 10 years. I started with an apple newton and then the handspring visor (the functionality of the expansion slot never materialized). But the dell axim was the fastest, most tech advanced and stable device I have owned until the moto droid. I couldnt wait to turn in my verizon 6800 for the omnia II. When I tried it at the verizon store, it was a let down to see how sluggish the interface was. The Droid's interface is fast and stable, many good apps, but still waiting for the full version of epocrates.

I'm sure there are many great winmo devices out there, but when the best verizon has to offer doesnt come close to a device that was discontinued 5 years earlier it is time to jump ship. Unfortunately, Verizon has the best coverage where i live in CT, so I am stuck with their offerings.

RogueSpear

04-09-2010, 02:41 PM

About six weeks ago I purchased an unlocked Nexus One coming from an iPhone 2G, and an iPAQ 3975 prior to that (yes I know the iPAQ was not a phone). My quick summary is that this phone is probably the most amazing thing I've ever owned or held in one hand. The physical device itself is a sight to behold when playing back 720p h.264 encoded video. The Android OS on the other hand brings me back to the day of the PocketPC and HandheldPC. It brings me back to those days in the sense that I can do what I want with them. I've rooted my Nexus and it allows me to Cisco VPN into work and SSH in any device I need to tend to - that's just plain crazy to me.

The whole mentality of preventing users from doing anything not specifically anointed holy by Apple or Microsoft is anathema to virtually anyone who self-identifies as a geek or technology professional. I've spent a bloody good amount of money on "traditional" media in the form of CD's and DVD's and if someone thinks their going to tell me which device I can consume that media or when I can, or charge me per consumption.. well they're sadly mistaken. The same goes for these singular "app stores" with no other way to install software. Google got this part right. I appreciate some aspects of the app store, but at the same time they allow you to install software from outside those boundaries.

It's really too bad. All of the reasons that I felt like I was completing a self-imposed incarceration on Apple Island are the exact same reasons that I view WM7 as an epic fail.

Llew Silverhand

04-09-2010, 02:48 PM

I've switched to Android also. And probably not ever going back to Windows Mobile. I need an open system that lets me tinker with it. Windows Mobile let me do that, let me do everything I wanted with it. But 6.5 has grown stale, and 7 will probably not be open in the same way. But I still follow this site, mostly out of loyalty.

I've been using a CE device since the Casio Cassiopeia clam shell device. I feel I'll be following Windows Mobile news for the rest of my life.

srsabu

04-09-2010, 03:04 PM

I went from a BlackJack to a Nexus One a few weeks ago. I'm a software developer, and while I just dabble in mobile development, I don't like the iPhone lockdown and I don't like that WP7 is going in that direction.

I like the Nexus One/Android combo, even though it definitely isn't as polished as the iPhone. I miss my hardware keyboard (and Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard), but that will come eventually, even if I have to compile my own version of android and add the necessary drivers. Which is something you can't really do in a completely legal fashion with the other options.

DaveSadler

04-09-2010, 03:07 PM

doogald

04-09-2010, 03:10 PM

I switched to an Android phone in December and I love it. There is only one thing that my WM phone did better: when I started typing a phone number or contact name, it would initiate the process to start a phone call. Perhaps there is a home screen replacement that does this for Android, but otherwise this takes more steps on Android.

Otherwise, everything that I need is more solid. All of my PIM stuff are on Google anyway - gmail, Google Calendar, and gmail contacts - so Android is a no-brainer. I was using NuevaSync with WM, but there were times that NuevaSync would update their Exchange Server end and you wouldn't know that ActiveSync needed you to confirm until you looked at the phone. A few weeks ago I needed to search for an e-mail message from sometime last year based on a search term, and I could search from within the gmail app and get a result in seconds. I simply could not do that with WM before.

There are many other reasons why I prefer Android, including a fast and accurate web browsing engine, and a rich set of third party apps (including MLB At Bat). For what I need and want, Android is much better.

vangrieg

04-09-2010, 03:19 PM

I have nothing personal against Android but I absolutely hate the fact that Windows sites are righting so much about it. I've already stopped using PPC Geeks because of this. It's just a different topic, so I would infinitely appreciate it if Windows Phone Thoughts remained what it is. Maybe Android deserves its own Thoughts site?

3DPiper

04-09-2010, 03:53 PM

I'm a current Fuze WinMo user and am interested in Android.. I played with a phone in BestBuy last week and it was definitely very nice..

One of the reasons I have stayed with WinMo is everything I do is via Microsoft: Outlook, Win7, etc.. I don't have a gmail account (nor do I want one), gcal, etc.. I never even use google at all (Yahoo).. If I get an Android phone, can it sync with Outlook, check my email (Pop3), sync my photos with my Flickr account, etc, all the things I can do now? Do they have a phone with a big cap screen and keyboard? I am on ATT..

I'm excited about WP7, but will wait and see what happens before buying a 1.0 version...

-Matthew

Richard76

04-09-2010, 04:00 PM

Are any of you writing from Canada? There is a very real possibility that work will transfer me to Canada by the end of the year. I've heard that the data plans in Canada make it almost prohibitive for smartphone users :( I've been on the PPC platform since my first ebay acquisition of the iPaq with its expansion sleeve and slender 1" profile ;)

I'm currently on the now-dead Sprint employee referral plan with unlimited everything using a *gasp* HTC Mogul. I've been in upgrade paralysis for months - first wanting an HD2, but now seriously considering Android.

Yes, data plans are pretty expensive compared to most other places. I am with Rogers and their current Smartphone plans (non-BlackBerry) are:

500MB/mo = $30 + 0.03/MB over (include US roaming data - $35/mo + .25/MB over)
1GB/mo = $35 + 0.03/MB over (include US roaming data - $40/mo + .25/MB over)
3GB/mo = $60 + 0.03/MB over
5GB/mo = $80 + 0.03/MB over

Luckily, I locked into the original iPhone promotional plan (6GB for $30) when it first came out and I have been flipping back and forth between and iPhone and an HTC Fuze. I have really wanted to try Android but my big hurdle is the Outlook sync issue. And although I use Google for my personal stuff, it is not an option for my business needs. So, until there is a resolution to Outlook syncing, I can not "jump on the band wagon".

As an aside, I was weaned on WinCE and have used everything (except Android) out there over the years. But I have always come back to Windows. However, even considering all of the drawbacks of the iPhone, my biggest draw to it is the ease of one-handed/one-finger use and the browser.

mlashmet

04-09-2010, 04:08 PM

I've been using WM since the Dell Axim X5, and been a loyal WM Phone user since my Sprint Mogul. I now have the Touch Pro, and am about ready for an upgrade. What do i have to look forward to? WP7? I bought into the hype as much an anyone. I really, really want to like WP7, but the more I hear about it, the more I keep waiting to hear that it's a bit April Fools Joke. Multitasking? Nope. Cut and Paste? Nope. Native support for external memory cards? Nope. It's almost like they took everything that Apple has been criticized for not having (which they now have except for memory card support) and WM did, and took it OUT. I just don't get it. Don't get me wrong, I'll never get an iPhone, but I am now sorely tempted by the Evo4G running Android. I'm thinking, come contract renewal time, my long love affair with WM may be coming to an end. It's too bad really. WM had the potential to be a great OS, and for a time, it was. But MS wasn't listening when the consumer said they wanted something easier to use, more non-techie friendly. Now that they finally opened their eyes to the way the market is now, they have overcompensated. By making an attractive, easy to use OS, they are now alienating the very people who kept WM alive through the dark times by taking away what all us geeks loved about it. Oh well rant over. Android, don't hurt me. I've been burned before...

Lord_Zelo

04-09-2010, 05:02 PM

Yeah, I started using WinMo back with my iPaq 3630, 3635... and on and on and used it up to my last device with a custom 6.5 rom on it. I've loved WinMo for a long time, but the idea of Android excited me as well and so I decided to get a Nexus One. I love it.

I dreamed of the day when WinMo would get its act together and build an app store and start making apps that have the same look and feel... with some expectations that had to be met when it came to design and the like. I gave up and got Android. I don't know if I'll ever look back, even though WinMo7 does look pretty good.

mikemcw

04-09-2010, 05:14 PM

My first WM phone was a compaq ipaq with a pcmcia sleave and a verizon pcmcia card. Since then, I've used everything from a tmobile dash, to the samsung I series phones to my sprint touch pro 2. I've also owned two blackberries (curve and storm) three generations of Iphones, and my verizon droid.

there seems to be a couple of truisms:
1) none of these phones do everthing I want
2) each one of these phones have a feature that I "can't live without".

Consequently, until recently, I've had three contracts (verizon (droid), sprint (touch pro 2) and ATT (Iphone 3G). Based on spousal feedback, I had to finally choose, and I decided to reluctantly go with the Droid.

There are so many things to complain about, but there are a couple of things that are just outstanding.

1)OS is fast.
2) integrated search function

Here are the things I don't like:
1) apps are nowhere near Iphone quality or variety
2) poor sms implementation (eg can't cut and paste entire threads)(
3) can't change font size when reading emails
4) can't cut copy paste email text
5) poor exhange implemenation (eg no support for private appointments, poor support for recurring appointments)

My touch pro 2 does many of these things much better but gosh was it slow
My iphone was a lot of fun but had many of the same shortfalls that the droid does

One of these days, google, MS, Apple will get it right. Will it be iphone OS4, WM7, Android 3? Who knows...Do I regret my choice? Every day. But for now, the droid seems to meet most of my needs.

jkovacs

04-09-2010, 05:16 PM

I've been holding off on upgrading because I want to see the expected new crop of Android phones. I converted from a Palm Vx to Jornada 565 way back and have been on the WinMo platform (PPC/Smartphone) ever since. But what drew me to it--the freedom to add applications to do almost anything I wanted--is fading quickly. I don't like the iPhone for several reasons: the lockdown, and some things it just can't do, like automatically changing my profile based on my calendar. I fear the WP7 is going to be Apple-like with the lockdown, no cut & paste and other ridiculous steps backward so I don't see it as an option I'm willing to wait for.

I'm excited about Android the way I was about Windows Mobile. It doesn't do everything I want but it looks like there are tools out there to adapt it and that works for me. Based on what I've read from the iPhone OS 4 stuff that came out yesterday I also believe that Android is the only one still innovating--like I could give a crap about iAd!!! Right now I think it will be the HTC Desire or the Samsung Galaxy S replacing my tired BlackJack II in the coming months. My hope is that soon some of the great WinMo developers will take some of their great apps to Android and then I doubt I'll be looking back.

...Joe K.

jkovacs

04-09-2010, 05:21 PM

Oh, forgot to mention, I'd love to see an Android Thoughts also.

...Joe K.

mmidgley

04-09-2010, 05:35 PM

In 1997 I had an Apple Newton. Newton got many things right (os-level integrated handwriting recognition, simple application install and ability to easily move apps between internal and external storage, etc). From 2000 to now I've been happy using PocketPC--an HTC Touch Pro WM6.5 will be the last of the PocketPCs for me.

I am considering Android for my next device. WP7 is a distant second place. Perhaps Microsoft will address the big issues with it before release, but probably not (that's why its a distant 2nd for me). I suppose iPhone is a way far-off third place. I really don't want to go there due to the restrictions. But it does bug me that I'd have to "root" an Android device to make it as free, open, and capable as I originally thought was the point of Google's open source deal. Anyway, it looks like I'll buy another HTC device as I've been pleased with their hardware (having drifted off to other makes and then returned), so I'm happy HTC is working with my 1st and 2nd choice OSes. It looks like I'll stick with a qualcomm based device for either OS.

That switch in 2000 for me was the last time I've had to consider what features I'd lose vs. which I'd gain by jumping ship. Looks like I'll be doing the same type of analysis late 2010.

m.

Craig Horlacher

04-09-2010, 05:51 PM

I've been using WinMo for 10 years across 4 devices. I've always liked it for it's customization, multitasking, card slots, copy and paste, and great applications.

Because they have taken out of disabled so many things with WinPho7 I won't even consider it at this point. If there is a services pack that adds back in features to get it back to where my 6.1 phone is now, I may consider it.

Right now, I'm very interested in Android. There are only two things holding me back.

1. I would like a native version of PocketBible for it - which sounds like it's coming but it may not be soon.
2. A new smartphone isn't in the budget right now.

Some of my favorite things about my phone are the high res screen (vga), the month view with text I can read in PocketInformant, Softmaker Office applications, having a stylus for photo editing, text selection, and things like that. I'm not really excited about loosing the stylus but I do like the new-school touch for everything general idea.

I was stunned that Microsoft is turning the Windows Mobile into just another iPhone with WinPho7. If it would at least run the hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of applications I've bought for winmo I may consider but as is, forget it. I don't know who Microsoft thinks will buy this. It sounds like most here are not excited and only some are still considering it.

I also vote for an Android Thoughts!

cakira

04-09-2010, 06:07 PM

I have an HTC HD2 and I like it a lot. It has some bugs (of course! it's windows): it freezes here and there, it have some slowdowns and I have to reboot it each 2 or 3 days because of some bug. Overall, I can live with these bugs.

But what wake me up from my WM 6.5 dream is: there will be no Firefox Mobile for it; there will be no Adobe Flash for it. Skype has stopped development for WM 6.5! I mean... it's a moribund platform!

So, I don't think I can afford buying a new phone anytime soon, but I guess my next phone will be an Android one. Does the Android platform already have something as good as Pocket Informant (contacts, calendar and tasks manager) and Phone Alarm (automatic profile switching)?

P.S.: I searched a little and there is a program called Locale that seems to be as good as Phone Alarm. But I've found no Pocket Informant replacement. Not yet!

paschott

04-09-2010, 06:20 PM

I'm a current Fuze owner and will admit to being interested in both WP7 and Android to some extent. I'm disappointed that AT&T locked down the Android platform so much, but appreciate that devices are now becoming more available in unlocked forms.

Right now I'm waiting for WP7 to see how it pans out as I'm also a Zune user and they've made some pretty nice changes to that platform lately.

In the meantime, there's a thread @ XDA that discusses putting the latest version of Android on a WM phone. Basically restarts the phone into an Android OS that runs off your storage card so there is little (though still some) chance of bricking your phone. It's not completely ideal because the Android devices have hardware that my Fuze doesn't, but it's nice to play around with the platform some.

As for an "Android Thoughts", it's probably worth considering with all of the attention that the other platforms now get. I think that it has a lot of potential as long as the carriers can resist the urge to lock things down.

maxnix

04-09-2010, 06:23 PM

For me, Android 2.1 is still a step behind WM6.x. If Android 3.0 has an Outlook type client, and full office applications like WM, it might well appeal to me more than WP7. Don't know how well the voice commanded operating feature works, either. The latter is what is critical to me for hands free phone operation. Multi-touch is largeely irrelevant as it precludes one handed operation.

On the other hand, if WM 6.x is developed further, I could well stay with that as I like flashing my own OS and the varioius helper applications that tweak an already productionapplications loaded platform.

"App Stores" bore me to death. Just what I want, hundereds of senseless non-unified applications choking my phone. And I don't have time to browse a 130K item store, thank you.

Jason Dunn

04-09-2010, 06:28 PM

Oh, forgot to mention, I'd love to see an Android Thoughts also.

Oh look, that domain is registered. :D

humayunl

04-09-2010, 07:58 PM

I've been meaning to specifically start a thread to say to Jason that an androidthoughts site should be next on the list. Its a fantastic idea and with android gaining popularity as fast as it is, i'm sure it will have a pretty big following. I know I will be one of them!

I fully support the androidthoughts idea!

wait, does the smiley in Jason's post mean that its registered by him? coooool!

When? when??

Jason Lee

04-09-2010, 10:16 PM

I'm in the same boat as many others here.
I bought my first WINCE 1.0 device in 1995 and have have been a WM user ever since. I won't bore you with my list of 20+ devices but needless to say I am/was a huge Windows Mobile fan.

I do NOT like what I see about WP7. It is definitely not for me. If I wanted a closed/locked down experience I would go buy an iphone. Admittedly I would still use a WP7 device over an iphone because at least I do use some of the services in the Microsoft ecosystem.

I purchased the north american banded nexus one the day it was released and haven't regretted it since.

So far I have found programs to replace everything that I did on my WM phone and in most cases they are actually better on android.
Plus I use google's services extensively.

So far android is a total win for me. I'm sure I'll still follow windows mobile (i do love mobile toys) but I doubt that I will ever use one again. Which truly does make me sad after our 15 year love affair. :(

frankenbike

04-09-2010, 10:53 PM

I'm really hoping to see a dual boot port of Android that I can use on my Imagio before my contract expires. There appear to be developments of that sort going on now, though it's all alpha. Like others, I see Android as an exciting platform of the future, especially for us phone/computer gearheads, who consider writing our own stuff.

And like others, I won't be considering WM7 because of MS's meeetooo syndrome on everything that is wrong about the iPhone. Most everyone I know and most everywhere I work has moved on to Google Docs and Calendar and GChat, and away from Office. So Android is a natural in that direction, and somehow, I get the feeling those platforms won't be well supported on WM7.

What stopped me from moving to Android instead of sticking with WM when I bought the Imagio, was lack of an app like WmWiFiRouter. This fills a critical gap in my connectivity from time to time, when WiFi fails in some venue where I need connectivity, and I just need lo-bandwidth (live blogging on CoverItLive) but high speed internet while the IT guys figure out why WiFi broke for a few minutes or hours. Sure, it's a violation of TOS, and I want to be able to violate TOS the same way on Android :)

The reports I'm reading about Android are very encouraging. But it's not as developed yet, and I thank you WM to Android trailblazers for clearing and planting the fields for the rest of us in our covered WM wagons.

BTW, started with WM when it was CE with a Casio, but got far more into it with my Axim X-30, and even more into it with my Sprint Mogul, which I think reached more of the potential for WM than the Axim, thanks to its connectivity and GPS.

--
FB

vangrieg

04-09-2010, 11:20 PM

So many WM forums are turning into a geek version of Alcoholics Anonymous now it's not even funny.

"I've been a WM user for X years and tried Android"
"Yes, man, please keep going"
"I was scared at first but then found out it was good and smooth"
"Yes indeed"
"I found all the applications I wanted"
"So did we"

Now, this was cool to read for the first thousand times, but it's really getting old and boring. I have no idea why people expected anything else but being able to use Android instead of WM, but now that we all now they can, could we put a check and go on?

xdev

04-10-2010, 02:38 AM

i've been using WM in phone capacity since my HTC Typhoon back in 2003. WM is ugly, not very user friendly, but amazingly flexible. It gets the job done. Thats why its generally the choice platform for most "advanced" users. It really is like having the power and flexibility of a laptop in your pocket, which is indeed, the original purpose of its predecessor, PocketPC. (oh , i had a jornada 928 as well- the first PPCPE)

with WP7, ms has obviously decided to go after the mass consumer market, and compete more or less head on with apple. In a way, Android is the spiritual successor of WM, so i forsee many WM users moving on to android instead of iphone/WP7.

There is no "best" platform, there only is a best platform for a particular set of needs, and since MS is killing WM, android represents the best platform for my needs.

Moxier Sync works great with outlook/exchange btw, it comes pre installed on my sony ericsson xperia X10. so you guys who need outlook/exchange do check it out.

Android is not a mature platform yet, thats why its development pace has been EXTREMELY fast...look how many versions came out in the space of a year?

with the next version (FroYo) and the version after that (Gingerbread), its said that the core APIs, featuresets etc will be reaching maturity. See this article for more details:

Exclusive: Android Froyo to take a serious shot at stemming platform fragmentation -- Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/29/exclusive-android-froyo-to-take-a-serious-shot-at-stemming-plat/)

So i reckon some of the issues like not being able to install to SD card will be resolved then.

ah- HTC devices have exchange built in too, as well as "smart dialling"- as in the contact lookup thingy as u start dialling.

OSUKid7

04-10-2010, 01:04 PM

I too have made the switch to Android. If this thread doesn't show Microsoft how they need to get their act together, I don't know what will.

I was a 10-year user of Pocket PCs/Windows Mobile, starting with the Compaq iPaq H3600 I believe. I remember the days we would all state how the only "Smartphones" (note the capital S) were Windows Mobile Pocket PCs/Smartphones. Funny - no one has made that argument for years, and yet our beloved OS hasn't changed substantially. Well, until WM7, but to me, that's a step backwards.

Android has the same appeal as those first-gen Pocket PCs. They may not be the most used platform today, but they at least rival the iPhone features, so it's only a matter of time. As soon as the WM7 announcement was made and I learned that legacy apps wouldn't be supported and there would be no multi-tasking (that's been there since before Pocket PCs were alive, right?), I started looking for an Android phone. I lived on the bleeding edge of the Windows Mobile world for years, but not this time. Try again, Microsoft.

discut

04-10-2010, 06:01 PM

Bought a Nexus 2 weeks ago.
Before that I used the HTC Diamond for a year, Nokia for years before that.
Used several iPAQs over the years, as handhelds, not phones.

I really liked the versatility of the PocketPC platform - Outlook, Word, Excel, PDF files. Used it as a book reader, as a music player, as a casual gaming device.
Consumed a lot of online content on the Diamond and was seriously considering HD2.

What won me over was the incredible screen on the Nexus. Saw one in a friends hands and immediately wanted one :)
I really, really dislike the Apple way of doing things. The products, IMHO, are nothing short of fantastic, but the guys running the show really "rub me the wrong way". WPS7 looks like it's heading down the same road. Good luck with wider audience, this is where I jump ship.

So, Android it is for the time being. I am still feeling my way around. After using PPC for so many years, some things in Android feel obviously different. I can't shake the feeling that this platform holds a lot of promise.

Pdaholic

04-10-2010, 11:22 PM

I figure about 13 years of Windows Mobile/Palm OS devices for me. I went a different route and bought an iPhone 3gs about 3 months ago. Jailbroke it on the second day, and I love it. Not convinced I won't go Android at some point, but for now, I am done with WM.

burtcom

04-11-2010, 12:05 AM

My Kaiser keeps on kicking -- its running WM 6.5.5 now courtesy of the fine folks at XDA-developers.

And they're getting awfully close to getting Android running on this phone too (most things are working), so at some point I will give this a try.

I hate to lose all the software I've gotten, but it seems I will lose it anyway if I stick with WM :(

Jon Westfall

04-11-2010, 11:04 PM

Oh look, that domain is registered. :D

Well Jason, I think we have some people who would read & comment at such a site, I know I would.

David Tucker

04-12-2010, 02:15 AM

Yeah, I certainly would as well...and I suspect that number will be going up as time goes on ;)

Lee Yuan Sheng

04-12-2010, 04:47 AM

Been using a Milestone for a couple of weeks now. It's not perfect, but there's something about using it that's great fun. Love the notification slider.

My main complaint is that there is no native tasks and notes database along with no decent syncing option out of the box. I read that Alex Kac of WebIS is at work on an Android version of PI, so looking forward to it.

The screen could be bigger; its wider aspect ratio means that at 3.7" diagonal means that the screen area is actually not that much different from the iPhone's. Plus I miss having the usual answer and end call buttons.

Confesion: I haven't used a Windows Mobile device of any kind for some time, apart from my ill-fated HD2 (which wasn't going to be used as a main phone anyway). Think the last one prior to that was the Samsung i600, a WM Standard phone. Been on Nokia's S60 platform with the E71 and E72 prior to the Milestone.

David Tucker

04-12-2010, 06:24 AM

Lee, you have to pay for it but the Pro version of Remember the Milk is about as good as it gets for tasks. There is an official RTM application or you can install Astrid which will sync with RTM as well. Astrid is nice because it also integrates with Locale.

I wish Google had a decent task application but you can also integrate RTM into Google calendar and gmail so it ends up working very nicely as a solution.

Lee Yuan Sheng

04-12-2010, 06:59 AM

David Tucker

04-12-2010, 08:43 AM

I can understand wanting to wait. Its been a long time since I used PI because the T-Mobile MDA & T-Mobile Wing that I finished my Windows Mobile time on both struggled to run it. But it was a great app

Jon Westfall

04-12-2010, 12:51 PM

Hey David, thanks for the tip. I know about RTM and Astrid, but if I'm going to pay for it, I'd prefer to have the functionality of nested tasks. Another reason why I'm looking forward to PI for Android!

Toodledo can do nested tasks with their Pro version (e.g., $14 a year), and syncs via Nuevasync (On WM) and Toodledroid (On Android).

Jon.

efjay

04-12-2010, 04:29 PM

Jason,

When I'm the only WM user left, will WPTs still be running? google (data mining), apple (anal control freaks) are not for me, I can manage iWindows Phone once its hacked as I would use Xbox Live and use MS services. What do you see as the future of this site since it seems everyone is jumping on either the apple or google bandwagon?

Lee Yuan Sheng

04-13-2010, 12:26 AM

Toodledo can do nested tasks with their Pro version (e.g., $14 a year), and syncs via Nuevasync (On WM) and Toodledroid (On Android).

Jon.

That is promising! Thanks Jon!

Phillip Dyson

06-06-2010, 12:13 AM

Okay, I gave in and picked up an ATT Nexus One off contract. I was originally not planning on buying a new phone until the end of this year, and I pretty much anticipated it was going to be a WP7.

To be hones I'll probably still purchase one. Its just that as a gadget enthusiast I really wanted to checkout Android. In my mind, the Nexus One is the obvious choice for anyone on AT&T. I figure the hardware is comparible to most high-end phones on the market or anything coming. I'm pretty much guaranteed to be on latest version of Android as the Google flagship.

I figure if I sell it in a few months it will hopefully pay for my next phone if I buy it on contract.

I have to say, I'm really pleased with the phone and platform. My only issue is the substandard Exchange Activesync implementation. 2.1 doesn't support Calendar and its email syncing is minimal.

I know that Froyo will add Calendar, but I'm also hoping they've improved email as well.

I am missing my Pocket Informant and Netflix apps but I'm sure its just a matter or time.

Jason Lee

06-06-2010, 01:32 AM

For my netflix needs I am using Movies.
Android.com - Market (http://www.android.com/market/#app=net.flixster.android)

It works really well, you can search for movies in the DVD section and add them to your instant or regular queues. You can even drag and drop rearrange items in your queue. I actually think it works a lot better than the official netflix program for windows mobile.

There are also several other fairly good exchange solutions in the market but I think I will just wait for 2.2.

Edit: hrm.. stupid link doesn't work.. just search the market for movies. It is by Flixster.

doogald

06-06-2010, 01:50 AM

I use PhoneFlicks (http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.nextmobileweb.phoneflix) for my Netflix stuff on Android.

Jason Dunn

06-07-2010, 08:30 PM

When I'm the only WM user left, will WPTs still be running?...What do you see as the future of this site since it seems everyone is jumping on either the apple or google bandwagon?

Predicting the future is never something I've been particularly good at ;), but in general, while I know we're seeing people switch to Android, my hope is that new users coming into Windows Phone 7 will find Windows Phone Thoughts and use it as a resource. Communities are always evolving and changing; as long as there's a Windows Phone/Windows Mobile product, there will be a Windows Phone Thoughts. Unlike many others here, I'm quite excited and feeling quite positive about Windows Phone 7 - I really like much of what it has to offer.