I'm in Love (again)

My Touch Diamond died a while ago when once again, I left it in my back pocket and broke the screen, I reverted to my trusted HTC S710 while I waited for something great to come along.

I waited and waited until last week I was shown the "Google Phone", before this time I wasn't really fussed about this as I have been a lover and owner of smart phones since they came along in 2003 (I think), however I am a changed man. The Google Phone (running Googles' "Android" OS), is absolutely amazing. I have had this phone less than 12 hours and already think I'd be lost without it.

Unboxing


The Phone comes with charger (not shown), sync cable, pouch and some books (that I never read) and headphones (not shown).


The main home screen (Left) and the application screen (Right) which you drag from the bottom in a similar fasihion to te Touch-Flo system on HTCs. (I have installed "A LOT" of applications already).

My Bedside clock which is looking favourite to replace my iHome bedside clock due to it's "Stupidly bright display"

First impression

This is the future, there is a "Market Place" for apps which are either free or very cheap, every app you can think of is available, I have downloaded for example.

The Clock seen above, Sky Planner (with remote record facility for Sky+/HD), compare everywhere (barcode scanner that compares prices), facebook (of course) various GPS trackers for biking & running, fitness apps for gym work, Roadsync (Exchange synchronisation) media players to stream music and videos from the net or my own shared music at home).

There is no keyboard, input is via the onscreen keyboard which I admit, altough I like 'real' keyboards, the onscreen one is very good and others are available via the marketplace. There is also no stylus meaning your finger is good enough.

A 2Gb Micro SD card is included with it and 16Gb cards are readily available from eBay for around £30

Does this mean there is finally something to beat the iPod touch / iPhone - in my opinion, Absolutely, I will need to test the media playing capabilities, so will reserve complete judgement, but if you can get your hands on one of these beauties, hurry up.

They are currently only available via T-Mobile or Vodafone (or eBay) but there's rumours of an Orange version later in the year.

9.5/10


Quick Update : 9.5/10 - Have just remebered "Beebplayer" which is a version of iPlayer and lets you watch BBC programmes, tested withh Episode 11 of the Apprentice - works perfectly !!!

The End of the World is nigh (tomorrow)...

(... but if it doesn't end, there are new gadgets on the way).

News is the world will end tomorrow, although I would have guessed at a repeat of the Bibles "40 days of rain" apparently the "Large Hadron Collider" is a 27-kilometre underground tunnel that thousands of science geeks have built along the France-Switzerland border in an attempt to "maybe" discover the "Theory of Everything"

It's not pocket-sized and doesn't have a touchscreen

This Gadget is being switched on tomorrow when it has been said one of 3 three can happen

1. The secret to theory of everything being revealed

2. Nothing

3. The creation of a black hole that will devour the Earth.

Obviously I'm going with option 1 or 2. If it does turn out to be option 3, my holiday plans are scuppered and I haven't written down my logon passwords in case anyone does survive and needs to log onto my computer.

If, however the world doesn't end, there's 3 new gadgets coming very soon...

1. The next generation iPod Nano

Photo courtesy of Engadget

2. The HTC s740

3. The HTC Touch Pro


Hurrah...!!!

Edit:

The next generation iPod Touch also announced

New Gadget...

... and about time too, it's been months since I have had chance to get a new gadget, this is due to the ever increaseing price of Oil - It's not, but hey, let's jump on the bandwagon and lay blame.

Any-hoo

I have managed to acquire the new HTC Diamond.
First impressions.

When I eventually managed to get the box open, I switched the diamond on where I was greeted with the standard Vodafone version of the software, this of course will be changed to the standard HTC ROM as soon as I have a spare 10 minutes. All in all a slim device, similar in size to many of the Samsung phones around at the moment.

I like - the size, interface, the built in GPS, the 3.2Mp camera, the built in 4Gb drive

I don't like - the interface, lack of keyboard, no buit in GPS software, the built in storage (no capabililty to extend with MicroSD Cards etc.)

I recently gave up using the HTC Touch Dual as it became very slow and I am gradually going off full touch screens (yes I know the Dual had a slide out keypad), I reverted back to the trusted HTC S710.

I have been playing with the Diamond for 2 days, but again have reverted back to the S710 while I transfer contacts etc. Check back soon to see if I actually use the Diamond...

iOrange

After my falling out with Thomo over his recent purchase, I have decided to allow him to buy me lots of beers in return for forgiveness.

What I am not happy about though is the fact that I don't want the iPod Touch, I don't want an iPhone,

I Need one

The HTC Touch Dual is a fantastic phone with most of the functions I want in in a phone, but its missing... that something,When Orange bring out the iPhone v2 (which they will) put me down for one, with a decent data plan . (v2 will have 3G)

I love the iTouch (Now), combining this with a phone I use and carry around every day will be perfect.

Santa Baby, Slip an iPhone under the tree, for me.

Some people just don't listen

Dear Time Magazine - do you not read my blog... tut tut

What next indeed

Time magazine have only gone and named the iPhone the "Invention Of the Year"
Obviously this paper is either an Apple fanboy, have no idea what they are talking about or don't actually own things such as this. I guess as an invention it's but not as revolutionary as the iPod itself. Although it does appear that they actually don't really like it either - worth a read.

Just look at the size of it, "life in your pocket", yeah right

The iPhone is just an iPod touch with a built in mobile phone. The things I like over a traditional ipod are the Touchscreen and Widescreen functions, but it's still missing (for me at least), 100Gb in storage, Built in GPS for Sat Nav, 3G and the ability to synchronise with MS Exchange - oh - and the pricing, available tariffs and limited choice of network providers.

I know there are ways around these issues (apart from the storage), but I, like many others want things to work straight out of the box.

I have the HTC TYTN II which has built in GPS, 3.5G connectivity and syncs with Exchange, ok the memory is stored on a Micro SD Card, which at the moment are only up to 6Gb in size (for £30 though), so a slight drawback, but I still prefer it to an iPhone.

I do however still want the iPod "classic"... Please..... someone... anyone.

HTC Tytn II - Back to Geeksville
It's here and more importantly I have one, the follow-up to the wonderful HTC Hermes/Tytn/v1605.

This time with an even faster connection (3.5G), built in GPS, Windows Mobile 6, sliding/tilting screen, finger navigation, 3 Megapixel Camera.

Setup has been easy, put the battery, Mini SD card and SIM Card and turn the device on, you are asked to set your locale, the time and your mobile phone provider, the rest is then setup,

The display is now less colourful, in fact it's black/grey but looks very impressive and seems to work better than with lots of colours, a case of less in more.

The icons are designed for navigating by fingers, meaning you don't have to keep using (and losing) the stylus.
The main screen has icons for home, contacts, weather, launcher and phone settings, each of these having sub-menus.

Home
Shows the time in digital format, emails, text messages and missed calls
Contacts
This is actually called "favourite people" and shows 10 shortcuts to you favourite/mostly dialled people, allowing for photo shortcut, this is something I had on my "OLD" PDA the HTC Hermes, lifted from the Palm Treo 700w
Weather
This is the same as aftermarket software such as SPB Weather and does exactly what is says on the tin, shows todays weather for your chosen location (it even has Derby - Useful only if you live there), clicking again shows the forecast for the next 5 days. Warning : this will use GPRS to update
Launcher
Similar to a start menu, gives you the option of creating shorcuts to your applications and programs,.
Phone Settings
Sound settings, ringtones etc.

All in all I'm very impressed with the device, it's definately a stepup from the Hermes, especially with the buiilt-in GPS which will make it a big seller. The tilting screen is more of a gimmik than useful, but might help in some ways, the keyboard is also improved, the keys are now more repsonsive and you (I) tend to make a lot less spelling mistakes, where you have missed letters out of words.

I've yet to test the GPS /TomTom as people keep calling me, however I'll be installing my aftermarket applications tonight and will update as soon as I can (be arsed).

These are due to replace the V1605 on Vodafone and should be known as the v1615, I guess other providers will follow suit.

New....er Gadgets
.
I blogged earlier this month on what I thought would be couple of perfect gadgets for the (Mobile) worker and the everyday phone user.

The HTC Athena was great, however lacked a decent enough screen resolution, that is really the only fault I have with it (so far)

The HTC Vox was and still is a great mobile phone/email phone, and I this is the perfect device and I still (after at least 2 months) have no complaints.

As usual however, these "perfect" devices have been perfected.

The HTC Omni is the replacement to the crappy clamshell devices of old (HTC Universal/Vodafone v1460, XDA Exec) and will be good competion for the HTC Athena/Advantage
The HTC Wings is the successor to the stll brand new HTC Vox, and has built in GPS and 3G. Only downside remains is the lack of touchscreen, but as I've known for years, you can't have everything. Apparently this device might now be cancelled - Nooooooooo

New Gadgets

Despite the fact I cannot get to work, it doesn't stop me working, I have a couple more gadgets to test, namely the HTC Athena and the HTC Panda.

My Perfect PDA would have the following

• Codecs for all video format
• Hard Drive
• Fast internet connectivity (3G/UMTS/HSPDA etc)
• Wi-Fi
• Keyboard
• Large screen

Here it is

HTC Athena

Billed as the UMPC beater, with Windows Mobile 6 (soon), built in GPS, attachable keyboard, 8Gb Hard Drive, 3G connectivity however....

Still the old screen resoolution of 640 * 480 meaning a screen larger than all of the other PDAs but showing the same amount of info.

Also available ...

HTC Panda
If (like me) you need a replacement for the Qtek 2020i, O2 XDA 2i, this is it, this is "The" DIRECT REPLACEMENT.

Good points

• works with the majority of applications developed for the older devices
• Windows Mobile 5 - (No more losing data with Windows Mobile 2003)
• USB Charging
• Camera button has been moved

Bad Points

• No car cradle yet
• No 3G
• No built-in GPS
• No operator as yet (come on vodaphone)

Testing still ongoing but the Panda (also known as the HTC P6300) will be a big seller.

Gadgets.

Its been ages since I've had gadgets to talk about, I have been through a few but nothing really worth a mention.

Till very recently, my personal phone has been the QTek 8500, a small flip smartphone perfect as a "socialising phone" (a phone you could take out on the p*ss with you).

Unfortunately due to a major problem with my jean back pocket, some keys, my arse and a chair, I managed to sit on the phone cracking the screen.

This led me to revert to my officially upgraded Orange phone, a Nokia N73...
I havent had a Nokia since back in the days before SPVs came out, needless to say I ave been completely useless with it, different operating system (I know it's a phone), different way of synching, texting, accessing contacts, and altogether not for me.

After a nice chat with my Vodafone man, I managed to get my hands on a HTC Vox, which accepted my Orange Sim with a smile and I am now in the process of setting up.
Good Points
Windows Mobile 6
Brilliant for working with MS Office Documents
Bluetooth
Wi-Fi
Sliding keyboard
2MP Camera

Bad Points No 3G
eMoze synchrnosation does't work
No touchscreen
Larger than a standard "Candy Bar" Phone
No Built-in GPS

My work phone is split between the HTC Artemis or the HTC Hermes (depending on what I need it for). The Artemis is great for the built-in GPS and is size, the Hermes is just a great all-rounder and has the keyboard.

The only devices out there worth looking at are the HTC s420 (the next Qtek 8500) and the HTC Athena (Hmmm).

Gadgets

I have not one, but 4 new gadgets, I have upgraded my Personal phone from the SPV C600 to a Nokia N93, not really being a Nokia. I only upgraded to get a better talk plan package, the phone was free, got a good camera though,

Managed to get a Sony Ericsson 6301 and Motorola Krzr K1 from a certain Mobile Phone supplier, not had chance to play but will certainly "fully evaluate them".

Finally and most important of all, is the HTC P3300 (Codename Artemis), this is the dogs danglies, slim, 3G and most importantly, built in GPS. Now you can get lost without losing the damn thing that got you lost in the first place (A separate receiver that is).

Iphone, Schmi-phone

Not Got me Yet...

Let it be said.... I LOVE GADGETS, if it's techy, new and does something technical I will have it.

HOWEVER...

Stick an "i" before a word, It'll sell by the millions

The iPhone from Apple is something the world seems to have gone mad over, sure its another Apple product which means all the iPod lovers will want (and buy) one. I have an iPod but I don't. I'm either getting responsible in my old age or there is nothing that appeals to me.

I currently have 2 phones (like to keep my work and personal life separate) and both of these do
Qtek 8500
HTC Tytn

The Qtek is a great slimline phone (a real weekend phone) dual screen, camera and Micro SD storage, A2DP support (Geek Alert)

The HTC is simply amazing, touchscreen, slide out keyboard, 3G, wi-fi, bluetooth, Outlook synchronisation for emails, tasks and contacts, TomTom sat nav, and Micro SD.

Although Micro SD cards currently have maximum storage of 2Gb this will no doubt change, at £30 however why not get a couple of cards. what's more, 8Gb is not enough for a device playing movies... trust me, it's not

I can play movies on my HTC, use as a modem plus lots more that the iPhone won't do, whats more, these devices are application unlocked you can bet your bottom dollar the devices will be application unlocked allowing you to install 3rd party applications - this, I LOVE.

The iPhone will be more secure than the Bank of England and I bet you wont' be able to play ripped DVDs back ups of films you legally own.

Until someone releases a device that has;

• 3G (Video) Phone
• Built in GPS,
• Slimline
• Keyboard
• 80Gb storage
• Multi-Codec Video playback
• TV Tuner

I'll Stcik with Windows Mobile 5 devices

Add to that the $499 or $599 pricetag and the 2 year contract period. Who's iPoddy enough !

Links
Modaco - coolsmartphone - xda-developers - mobilegazette