Going "smartphone". Options...

[pickles]

I saw a coworkers droid phone and was surprised to see so many "pages" that couldn't deleted when on the "home" page and was completely baffled by the seperate "app" screen. What's up with all the pages? It seemed messy kinda like a PC desktop can be. I'm not sure what phone she had or to what degree she fiddled with it or it's settings.

 

[dmbRedGetta]

What did you root with? I'm on CyanogenMod and I'm really impressed by it. I'm still using the MyTouch 3g (T-Mobile) that I got almost 2 years ago, which about died when T-Mobile pushed out the FroYo update. The phone couldn't hardly do anything after that, so instead of upgrading I just rooted. That was a little over a year ago, and even though it's still slow (and I can't have many apps), it's working well enough to get by. I'm trying to upgrade brewing stuff, so I'm waiting as long as I can before upgrading

 

[Lancer033]

I saw a coworkers droid phone and was surprised to see so many "pages" that couldn't deleted when on the "home" page and was completely baffled by the seperate "app" screen. What's up with all the pages? It seemed messy kinda like a PC desktop can be. I'm not sure what phone she had or to what degree she fiddled with it or it's settings.

part of the fun with android is that you can customize the hell out of it. That means some people's phones are disorganized crap, but if you want it nice and neat, you can do it. There are even apps out there that will even let you copy Apple and Windows Phone 7 UI's almost exactly.

 

[cracked1]

I saw a coworkers droid phone and was surprised to see so many "pages" that couldn't deleted when on the "home" page and was completely baffled by the seperate "app" screen. What's up with all the pages? It seemed messy kinda like a PC desktop can be. I'm not sure what phone she had or to what degree she fiddled with it or it's settings.

That's part of the reason to "root" the phone. It allows you to delete junk that you normaly can't and make things much more streamlined. Although, if anything goes wrong during the root process you can also turn your phone into a paperweight.

What did you root with?

I used the DORoot link through xdadevelopers. Seems to be working out pretty well. I don't have too much experience with other phones or root methods so take that for what it's worth...

 

[cheezydemon3]

arrrrrrrrrrrrggggghhh.....

As much As I HATES me some apple to apple interaction, (my PC based mp3 player slaps itunes around like an ipod never could) but as far as user friendly YOU can't beat apple.

Last time my PC based mp3 player crashed, I said "OH Yeah! that's why I will never own a PC again!"

The only people I know "in the know" who honestly like PC's better, just like fixing them. Kinda like motor heads and their cars.

Knock yourselves out.

Smartphone? Iphone.

Just don't let it talk to your mac or ipad, they will get a little too cosy.

 

[luke2080]

It seems like the smartphone conversation is a bit of a Ford vs Chevy situation. No one will ever be wrong and no one will ever be right. So, I think I'll give the free one a go for awhile and then see if I really want to upgrade or not. That way, for now, I'm out $0.00 (except the data package). I'm thinking that's not a bad deal!

Yep - everyone thinks their phone is the best. Since you are set on the Droid OS, you have two options. Take the free phone, or re-sign to a new year contract.

But you already said you don't want to sign up for a two year contract and get re-locked in. And you aren't planning to use much functionality of the phone. So that is an easy choice to use the free phone you have available.

BTW - Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) Samsung Focus. Great phone. Even my buddy who hates all things MSFT now has one and loves the interface.

 

[two_hearted]

I'm not an Apple hater but I definitely prefer my android device to my wife's iphone. Her phone has a slightly sleeker interface but it feels slow and clunky to me since you have one button to navigate with and that usually requires backing out all the way to the home screen. She doesn't mind it.

Um, that's not really how the navigation works. Yes, the home button takes you back to the home screen, but the whole screen is a button used for navigation. Maybe you mean something else?

As for the fragility, I've dropped my iPhone plenty of times to no ill effect. I dropped it into a running bathtub and after it dried out in a bag of rice for a day it worked fine.

I did break one, but I accidentally threw it point blank at some asphalt (long story).

 

[Lancer033]

arrrrrrrrrrrrggggghhh.....

As much As I HATES me some apple to apple interaction, (my PC based mp3 player slaps itunes around like an ipod never could) but as far as user friendly YOU can't beat apple.

Last time my PC based mp3 player crashed, I said "OH Yeah! that's why I will never own a PC again!"

The only people I know "in the know" who honestly like PC's better, just like fixing them. Kinda like motor heads and their cars.

Knock yourselves out.

Smartphone? Iphone.

Just don't let it talk to your mac or ipad, they will get a little too cosy.

iPhone has a great UI, but until they allow it to expand to different hardware and let unapproved apps it's a deal breaker for me.

Build quality and easy of use go to apple over almost any android device any day of the week, I gave my mom and iPhone for Christmas last year and she can use it no problem. If i let her get an android, she's be calling me every other day.

My recommendation always depends on the person....
Tech Savvy -> Android
technophobia -> Apple

 

[two_hearted]

My recommendation always depends on the person....
Tech Savvy -> Android
technophobia -> Apple

Some might say it a little differently.

Geek who wants to mess with **** -> android
Dude who just wants something simple that just works -> iPhone

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Some might say it a little differently.

Geek who wants to mess with **** -> android
Dude who just wants something simple that just works -> iPhone

Fun thing is that android fills both those categories.

Android:
- PROS -- Easy to manipulate to your will, cheaper, works just fine, supports flash, most apps are free
- CONS -- UI isn't as super smooth, not as many apps (not by much anymore)
- Suitable for: techies, average joe, the feverishly anti-Apple

iPhone:
- PROS -- Well built (though I've heard otherwise due to glass screens), UI is smooth, accessories out the wazzoo, large app store
- CONS -- Rigid software, crazy expensive, can't hold a call (my friends with iPhones only ever gets texts... calling is a pain)
- Suitable for: average joe, hipsters, brahs





P.S. This was only kinda biased

 

[passedpawn]

Tech Savvy -> Android
technophobia -> Apple

I have an iPhone. I'm pretty techy (I design stuff that techy's play with). No regrets.

 

[pickles]

Fun thing is that android fills both those categories.

Android:
- PROS -- Easy to manipulate to your will, cheaper, works just fine, supports flash, most apps are free
- CONS -- UI isn't as super smooth, not as many apps (not by much anymore)
- Suitable for: techies, average joe, the feverishly anti-Apple

iPhone:
- PROS -- Well built (though I've heard otherwise due to glass screens), UI is smooth, accessories out the wazzoo, large app store
- CONS -- Rigid software, crazy expensive, can't hold a call (my friends with iPhones only ever gets texts... calling is a pain)
- Suitable for: average joe, hipsters, brahs

P.S. This was only kinda biased

I have had an iPhone for about 3 years and have had no issues with calling. I suppose it depends on where you live and the network.

 

[Lancer033]

I have an iPhone. I'm pretty techy (I design stuff that techy's play with). No regrets.

there's always exceptions. just speaking in general terms